Reports are coming in that fires have been spotted aboard the abandoned Greek tanker Sounion after the crew left the vessel yesterday. It is raising concerns about a potential environmental disaster that would be among the largest oil spills in history.

The French frigate Chevalier Paul defended the tanker yesterday from a further attack by the Houthi while also coordinating the evacuation of the 29 crewmembers. When they left the vessel, the French reported there had been smoke from the engine room and that the vessel had taken on water, but it was believed according to the reports that the fires had been extinguished. 

The UK Maritime Trade Operations issued an update today saying it had been told that it appears there are three fires now burning on the vessel. In addition, earlier reports had said the ship had dropped its anchors and that Delta Tankers was arranging for its salvage. UKMTO now cautions that the vessel appears to be drifting.

The crew of the tanker, which includes a Russian captain 24 Filipino seafarers as well as three from India and one from Nepal, arrived in Djibouti at around 2200 last night according to the port authority. They said all the crew were safe and being attended to following a similar report from the authorities in the…