Dutch cargo ship adrift and ablaze after attack in Gulf of Aden

The Dutch-flagged general cargo ship Minervagracht is on fire and drifting in the Gulf of Aden after an attack with an explosive device spurred a rescue mission for its 19 crew, the EU maritime mission Aspides and the vessel's operator said on Monday. "As a result of the attack, the MV Minervagracht is on fire and adrift," the EU maritime mission Aspides said, adding that the vessel had not asked for its protection when it came under attack 128 nautical miles southeast of the port of Aden, Yemen. The UKMTO and British maritime security firm Ambrey said they received reports of smoke in the vicinity of the unnamed vessel, with the UKMTO saying the ship's master reported witnessing a splash in the distance.