What Crew Members Say About Clipper

On September 17, 2025, the LPG carrier 'Clipper', carrying a crew of 27 with 24 Pakistanis including Captain Mukhtar Akbar, was struck in an Israeli attack targeting Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen while docked at Ras Isa. The assault caused extensive damage, partially sinking another vessel and jeopardizing additional ships, while decimating much of the port's infrastructure. During the strike, one of 'Clipper's' LPG tanks detonated, igniting a blaze that raged for four challenging days before firefighters finally managed to extinguish it. However, reports from crew member Murad Ali, a trainee wiper and mechanic, indicated that the gas leakage persisted despite the fire being out. In the aftermath, Houthi boat crews intervened, boarding the damaged ship, with conflicting reports detailing the fate of the crew. Some accounts suggested they were taken hostage, while others indicated they had abandoned the vessel but were compelled to return aboard under duress from Houthi militants as the flames still flickered amid the wreckage. The vessel lacked adequate firefighting equipment, complicating the emergency response. Thanks to the swift intervention of the Pakistani ambassador to Oman, with backing from Saudi Arabian authorities and Pakistani security agencies, the crew was ultimately freed, having escaped Houthi territory. The 'Clipper', previously known as 'Eagle Pride', has been reported as attempting to fraudulently fly the Guyanese flag, rendering it effectively stateless. Originally sold in 2023 to an undisclosed buyer, its current operators remain a mystery. Notably, the tanker is under the scrutiny of U.S. counterterrorism sanctions. The 'Clipper' had departed Djibouti on September 4 and arrived in Ras Isa two days later. After the incident, the tanker was granted clearance to depart Ghubb Dignaw, setting sail for Djibouti on September 29. For visuals and further details, check this video report: [Footage from the Incident](https://x.com/i/status/1971600598144635262) and additional coverage on [Dialogue Pakistan](https://dialoguepakistan.com/en/pakistan/24-pakistani-sailors-safe-after-lpg-vessel-caught-fire-off-yemen-coast--fo).