ALBAWABA - The internationally recognized Yemeni government confirmed the loss of the cargo ship Rubimar in a statement issued today. After Houthi militants attacked on February 18, the vessel was left stranded in the southern Red Sea.
The ship's sinking was declared by the government's crisis cell, which was in charge of handling the matter, following requests for help for almost two weeks. There were heavy gusts and extreme weather in the area when the disaster happened.
The crisis cell expressed profound sorrow for the ship's demise and issued a warning about possible environmental consequences in Yemeni territorial seas and the Red Sea. They underlined that the result was predictable because the ship had been abandoned for more than 12 days and the Yemeni government had not responded to requests for help.
The Yemeni government's Minister of Water and Environment, Tawfiq Al-Sharjabi, stated earlier this week that powerful winds and waves had swept the Rubimar. Al-Sharjabi emphasized the worrying state of affairs aboard, as water was quickly filling the engine room and tilting the ship.
Al-Sharjabi confirmed the technical team's findings by pointing out that there were little oil slicks around the sinking ship. He gave information about the dimensions of the Rubimar, including its length, width, and cargo capacity.
The sinking of the Rubimar highlights the continuous difficulties with marine security in the area and raises questions about the effects on the ecosystem.
