The tanker, which is Chinese-operated, issued a distress call but did not request assistance.

No casualties were reported and the vessel continued on its course.

The Iran-backed Houthis have increased missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

A fire broke out on board the MV Huang tanker in the Red Sea at 4:25 p.m. on March 24, 2024.

The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes, and the vessel continued sailing towards New Mangalore, India.

The attack occurred 23 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port of Mokha, and no responsibility was immediately claimed.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that Houthi rebels had launched five anti-ship ballistic missiles in the area, hitting the MV Huang after the rebels had previously stated they would not attack Chinese vessels.

The tanker's registration details had been changed recently, according to maritime security agency Ambrey.

In 2019, a British shipping company, Union Maritime Ltd, registered a vessel named Huang Pu, which was later attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have threatened to target Israeli, British, and US ships, as well as those heading to Israeli ports, disrupting trade.

The US, leading an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping, has been attacking Houthi targets in Yemen since mid-January.

Following the Huang Pu attack, US forces engaged six Houthi drones, five of which crashed into the Red Sea, while the sixth flew into Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.