Reuters reported that a rescue operation was underway to save the crew of a cargo ship flying the Panama flag, after they had to be evacuated off the coast of the port of Hodeidah on the Red Sea.

The number of crew members or their nationality has not been revealed yet, while the causes of the accident are still under investigation.

According to informed sources, the ship experienced a technical defect that forced the crew to leave it. Some sources suggested that the defect was caused by an internal explosion, while other sources indicated that there was a problem with the ship’s engine.

This incident comes in light of the continued attacks by the Houthi terrorist militia on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for more than a year.