UN warns abandoned oil tanker may explode, sparking humanitarian catastrophe
An abandoned oil tanker in the Red Sea loaded with more than 1 million barrels of crude oil may explode or rupture, causing a major environmental and humanitarian disaster.....MORE
The UN Security Council has highlighted the risks posed by the FSO Safer tanker, which is moored off the coast of Yemen. The tanker is loaded with 1.1 million barrels of crude oil.
The Security Council told Fox News that it will be meeting to discuss the tanker at 3 pm ET on Wednesday.
Houthi rebels, who control the area where the ship is moored, have denied UN inspectors access to the vessel. But in comments obtained by AP, last week UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, “The local authorities recently signaled they would approve a UN mission to the site.”
“The members of the Security Council expressed deep alarm at the growing risk that the Safer oil tanker could rupture or explode, causing an environmental, economic and humanitarian catastrophe for Yemen and its neighbors,” the Security Council said, in a statement released on June 29. “They underscored the need for the Houthis to immediately grant unconditional access for United Nations technical experts to assess the tanker’s condition, conduct any possible urgent repairs and make recommendations for the safe extraction of the oil, ensuring close cooperation with the United Nations.”....
