Oil tanker hijacked by armed men off the coast of Yemen

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, the oil tanker Eureka, flying the Togo flag, was hijacked off the coast of the Shabwah province in Yemen. According to the internationally recognized Yemeni Coast Guard, unidentified armed men boarded the 88-meter vessel, seized control, and directed it toward the Gulf of Aden in the direction of Somali waters. The Yemeni authorities stated that they have located the vessel and are coordinating efforts to recover it and ensure the safety of the crew. Details regarding the number or nationality of the crew members remain undisclosed. The incident occurs amidst heightened security concerns in the region following recent reports of maritime threats. While the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported separate suspicious activity involving a skiff 155 kilometers southwest of Mukalla, it is unclear if these events are related. The security situation remains volatile as multiple maritime agencies continue to monitor the vessel's progress.