24 Pakistani sailors safe after LPG vessel caught fire off Yemen coast: FO

The Foreign Office (FO) said on Saturday that all 24 Pakistani nationals abroad a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker, which had caught fire near Yemen’s coast, are safe and the vessel is now moving out of Yemeni waters.

The FO’s statement came following reports in the media suggesting that the tanker had been “attacked” at a Yemeni port around 10 days ago.

In its official statement, the FO said the incident occurred on September 17 when the LPG carrier caught fire off Yemen’s shoreline.

“The tanker was manned by an international crew, including 24 Pakistani nationals,” the statement read.

It added that soon after receiving information about the fire, Pakistan’s embassies in the region got in touch with Yemeni authorities to ensure the safety of the crew. “Efforts were made to bring the vessel back into operation,” the FO added.

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According to the ministry, diplomatic missions are also in contact with the families of the Pakistani crew members to keep them informed of developments.

“Today, the LPG tanker has sailed from the port and is heading out of Yemeni waters. The entire crew, including the Pakistani nationals, is safe and sound,” the statement said.