Three navy and security sources confirmed that an abandoned tanker drifting near Yemen's coastline in June disappeared and was believed to have sunk. This is the latest vessel lost on the strategically significant Red Sea.

This area is on the main shipping routes from Europe to Asia and is considered high-risk because Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who are based in Yemen, have launched over 70 attacks against merchant vessels in October, in what they claim is solidarity with Palestinians living in Gaza.

Sources in maritime security said that last week, it was unlikely the Houthis had targeted the abandoned Lavant tanker. Two sources claim that the tanker reported an engine failure, and was leaking water.

Last week, the Russian shipping company Sovcomflot announced that, in response to a distress call, one of their vessels rescued a crew near the coast of southern Yemen on June 23, after they had evacuated the seafarers using a liferaft.

Sources in the Navy and maritime security said that on Wednesday, it was highly likely that the Lavant had sunk. It had been drifting for several days. The vessel's fuel capacity was not known. The owner of the vessel could not be reached for comment.

Houthi militants in the Red Sea have sunk at least two ships, captured another and killed three seafarers. The crew of one vessel is still being held captive.

Sources said that the Verbena cargo vessel, which was attacked by Houthis last month with anti-ship missiles and abandoned by its crew remains afloat, and is waiting to get salvaged.

According to one source, an armed guard aboard the ship was injured in the attack.

The European Union's Naval Force in the region has confirmed that the salvage operation for the Verbena continues.

Verbena owners have not responded to a request for comment.