The explosion, which occurred some 130 kilometers southeast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden, comes after a period of relative calm from the Houthis following their attacks on shipping in the region during Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza.

The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the blast, but are suspected to be behind it due to their past targeting of ships in the same area.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported the incident.

A merchant vessel reported an explosion in the water near it, according to the UK Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO).

The crew and vessel, named Veseel, are reportedly safe.

The private security firm Ambrey also reported the incident, which is suspected to be an attack.

The Houthis, a militia group in Yemen, have carried out over 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel, and sank another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration.

The number of attacks has decreased recently due to a US-led airstrike campaign against the Houthis and a decline in shipping activity due to the threat.

American officials suspect the Houthis may be running out of weapons due to the US-led campaign and are using drones and missiles at a steady rate.

The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group, have announced they will continue their attacks on ships in the Red Sea until Israel ends its conflict in Gaza.

The war in Gaza, which began in October 2000, has resulted in over 34,000 Palestinian deaths.

The attacks on ships have primarily targeted vessels with little or no connection to Israel, the US, or other nations involved in the Gaza conflict.

The Houthis have also launched missiles towards Israel, but most have been intercepted or fell short of their target.