A cargo ship targeted by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has sunk, marking the first vessel loss attributed to the Yemeni group’s actions against commercial shipping allegedly linked to Israel. The Britain-owned ship was transporting over 40,000 tons of fertilizer, believed to be ammonium nitrate, when it was struck by a missile nearly two weeks ago. The incident has prompted warnings from Yemen’s internationally recognized government about the potential for an environmental catastrophe, highlighting concerns over marine ecosystem disruption, acidification, and the risk of algal blooms that could affect various marine species and coral reefs in the Red Sea.
- A cargo ship attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has sunk after being hit by a missile, carrying over 40,000 tons of fertilizer.
- The sinking ship, owned by Britain, has raised concerns of a significant environmental catastrophe, primarily due to the cargo’s composition, believed to be ammonium nitrate.
- Yemen’s government has expressed alarm over the potential for widespread marine ecosystem disruption, including acidification and harmful algal blooms.
- Experts from Greenpeace underscore the urgent need for an expert response team to assess the situation, devise, and implement an emergency plan to mitigate environmental impact.
- Key concerns include the disruption of the pH balance in marine ecosystems, potential localized acidification, toxicity, and the cascading effects on marine species and coral reefs.
- The immediate action recommended involves granting access to the shipwreck site for a thorough assessment and swift response to contain and address the spillage.
- The incident underscores the broader issue of global ocean acidification exacerbated by excess CO2 from fossil fuel usage, highlighting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
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