The Dutch-flagged general cargo ship Minervagracht caught fire and was left adrift in the Gulf of Aden after being struck by an explosive device on Monday, forcing the helicopter evacuation of its 19 crew. Two sailors were injured, one seriously, according to the EU naval mission Aspides and operator Spliethoff. The vessel was about 128 nautical miles southeast of Aden when the blast caused severe damage and fire. While the attacker has not been confirmed, the incident follows previous Houthi assaults on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, marking the first such strike since early September.
