Reuters, citing three maritime and security sourcesrevealed today that the tanker “Lavant,” which drifted off the coast of Yemen and was abandoned by its crew, has disappeared and is believed to have sunk, becoming the latest ship missing in the Red Sea.
Sources reported that the tanker reported an engine malfunction and water leaking into it.
Russian shipping group Sovcomflot said last week that one of its ships responded to a distress call and rescued the crew off the southern coast of Yemen on June 23 after they were forced to leave the tanker in a lifeboat.
Marine and security sources reported on Wednesday that the tanker may have sunk after drifting for several days. It is not yet clear whether it was carrying fuel on board.