Two Missing After Explosion on LPG Carrier in Gulf of Aden

October 21, 2025

An explosion and fire aboard the Falcon, a 31-year-old liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier, have left two Indian seafarers missing in the Gulf of Aden. The incident occurred around 0700 GMT on Saturday, approximately 113 nautical miles (210 km) southeast of Aden, Yemen.

Rescue Operations

The ship’s Ukrainian captain and 23 other crew members managed to abandon the vessel and were rescued by nearby ships. According to the European Union’s Aspides naval mission, all survivors have been taken safely to Djibouti.

Conflicting Early Reports

Initial information from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) suggested the Falcon might have been struck by an “unknown projectile” while fully laden. However, a subsequent update clarified that an onboard accident could not be ruled out.
Eyewitness accounts from the rescued crew, collected by the Aspides force, also indicate that the fire was most likely caused by an internal accident rather than an external attack.

Ship’s Condition and Inspection Record

The Falcon’s safety record adds weight to the accident theory. The vessel was detained during its two most recent port inspections—first in India in August 2023 for 17 deficiencies, and again in Turkey in January 2025 for 13, including fire safety violations and hull damage compromising seaworthiness.

According to Equasis data, the Falcon is owned by a company registered in the United Arab Emirates and managed by Indian operators. Its declared destination was Djibouti, which differs from the typical routes targeted by Houthi forces.
TankerTrackers.com has even reported that the ship was carrying Iranian LPG, possibly cargo intended for the Houthis themselves.

Ongoing Fire and Navigational Risk

Despite the crew’s evacuation, the situation remained dangerous. Aspides reported that up to one-fifth of the Falcon was engulfed in flames earlier on Saturday, and the fire continued to intensify.
“MV Falcon represents a navigational hazard,” Aspides warned, advising vessels in the area to “exercise caution and refrain from any actions that could worsen the current situation.”

Flag Status

The Falcon previously sailed under the flag of Cameroon but has been listed as having “unknown” flag status since August 2024, according to Equasis records.