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Houthi Rebel Attack on Tanker Could Lead to One of the Worst Environmental Disasters: $20 Billion Cleanup and 25-Year Recovery for Fish Stocks
The recent attack on a fully laden tanker by Houthi rebels is poised to become one of the most devastating environmental disasters in recent history.
The vessel, carrying approximately 150,000 tonnes (over 900,000 barrels) of crude oil from Iraq, has triggered grave concerns about its potential impact. If the situation escalates, the environmental fallout could be catastrophic, with estimates suggesting it would take up to 25 years for fish stocks to recover.
Moreover, the cost of cleanup is projected to reach an astonishing $20 billion. This disaster highlights the urgent need for international cooperation and rapid response to mitigate the environmental damage and safeguard marine ecosystems from the severe repercussions of such incidents.
UN officials two years ago warned of the consequences of a large oil spill in the region. They had said if the FSO Safer failed the large spill would be an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe. They predicted the destruction would reach pristine reefs, coastal mangroves, and other sea life across the Red Sea, exposing millions of people to the pollution and cutting off food, fuel, and other life-saving supplies. Coastal communities the UN emphasized would be hit hardest with hundreds of thousands of jobs in the fishing industry being lost. A spill from the Sounion would be on the same magnitude as the FSO Safer.