Novinite.com
20 Nov 2023, 08:13 GMT+10
A cargo ship, carrying crew members that include Bulgarians, has been seized by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Israeli authorities have connected the incident to Iran, branding it a "terrorist act." Although the ship isn't of Israeli origin, there might be contrary claims.
Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov informed "NovaTV" about the potential abduction of two Bulgarians, including the captain, although this information isn't confirmed. The hijacking follows threats by Houthi leaders, who, supported by Iran, warned of targeting ships in the Red Sea amid Hamas's conflict with Israel.
Al Jazeera reported a Houthi spokesperson linking the action to supporting the people in Gaza. Later, the military spokesperson confirmed the ship was taken to the Yemeni coast and warned against activities with Israeli-owned ships in the Red Sea.
The Bulgarian Prime Minister's Office condemned the act, labeling it as Iranian terrorism and a threat to global shipping security. The ship, under the Bahamian flag and operated by a Japanese company, departed from Turkey and was en route to India when the incident occurred in the southern Red Sea.
The ship, reportedly named Galaxy Leader, has a diverse crew, including Bulgarians, Ukrainians, Filipinos, and Mexicans. While no Israelis are confirmed on board, there are associations with Israeli ownership or operation. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu distanced Israel from the ship's ownership or crew.
The vessel is linked to Ray Car Carriers, founded by Abraham Ungar, a prominent Israeli businessman. Ungar acknowledged the incident but withheld detailed comments. There have been prior connections between Hungarian-related incidents and Ungar's property in the Gulf of Oman.
Ray Shipping, a company under the same umbrella, has been engaged in training for Bulgaria's Nikola Vaptsarov Higher Naval School and employed over a thousand Bulgarians, according to information available.
The situation is ongoing, and details about the incident and the well-being of the crew are awaited.
Copyright (c) Novinite.com. Published with permission via Big News Network news agency
Get a daily dose of Japan Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Japan Herald.
More InformationCANBERRA, Australia: As the first step in its efforts to curb the growing popularity of nicotine-filled devices with young people, ...
MOSCOW, Russia: Russia's trade in oil with India, one of the most lucrative oil trade routes since the imposition of ...
LONDON - Health experts and tobacco campaigners have strongly criticized New Zealand's decision to repeal laws that aimed to ban ...
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar: Kyar Win, spokesperson for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, which launched a surprise offensive last month against ...
(Photo credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports) Sophia Smith scored early in a rare start at center forward and the U.S. ...
manila, Philippines - Evacuations were underway in the Philippines after a quake of at least magnitude 7.5 struck the southern ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: This week, the White House said that Senior Biden administration officials met with the makers of respiratory syncytial ...
CHEYENNE, Wyoming: This week, the Biden administration raised US$3.4 million from a sale of oil and gas drilling rights in ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks extended their rally on Friday despite remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ...
MOSCOW, Russia: Russia's trade in oil with India, one of the most lucrative oil trade routes since the imposition of ...
LONDON - Health experts and tobacco campaigners have strongly criticized New Zealand's decision to repeal laws that aimed to ban ...
NEW YORK, New York - The Dow Jones index was the standout on U.S. financial markets on Thursday with a ...