LONDON: A cargo ship abandoned four days ago in the Gulf of Aden after it was hit by missiles fired by Yemen`s Houthis is still floating despite taking in water, and could be towed to nearby Djibouti, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Shipping risks have escalated due to repeated drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait by the Iranaligned Houthis since November.

US and British forces have responded with several strikes on Houthi facilities but have so far failed to halt the attacks.

The crew of the Belizeflagged Rubymar abandoned the vessel after it was hit on Sunday.

The vessel was taking in water and its operators were exploring options, the vessel`s maritime security company LSS-SAPU said on Monday.-Reuters