DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Salvagers abandoned an effort to tow away a burning oil tanker in the Red Sea targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels as it “was not safe to proceed,” a European Union naval mission said Tuesday.

The announcement from the EU's Operation Aspides leaves the Sounion stranded in the Red Sea, posing a significant risk of a major oil spill from its cargo of 1 million barrels.

“The private companies responsible for the salvage operation have determined that the conditions are not suitable for towing and that it is unsafe to continue,” the EU mission reported, without providing further details. “Alternative solutions are currently being explored by the private companies.”

The EU mission did not immediately respond to inquiries from The Associated Press regarding the announcement. The safety concern could stem from the ongoing fire aboard the vessel — NASA fire satellites detected flames in the area where the Sounion was anchored on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, there is the threat of additional attacks by the Houthis, who on Monday attacked two other oil tankers navigating through the Red Sea . The Houthis have indicated their willingness to allow a salvage operation to occur, but critics argue that the rebels have previously used the threat of an environmental disaster involving another oil tanker off Yemen to gain concessions from the international community.

The Houthis initially launched an attack on the Greek-flagged tanker on Aug. 21 using small arms fire, projectiles, and a drone boat. A French destroyer deployed as part of Operation Aspides successfully rescued the Sounion’s crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, along with four private security personnel, after they abandoned the ship and were taken to nearby Djibouti.

Last week, the Houthis released footage showing they planted explosives on the Sounion and detonated them in a propaganda video, a tactic they've used before in their campaign.

The Houthis have targeted over 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the conflict in Gaza began in October. They captured one vessel and destroyed two in the campaign that also resulted in the deaths of four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea or missed their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well.

The rebels claim they target ships connected to Israel, the U.S. or the U.K. to pressure an end to Israel’s offensive against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some headed for Iran.