Survivor Search Underway After Latest Houthi Attack on Cargo Ship in Red Sea

The crew of the Eternity C is caught in peril after being attacked by missile-wielding Houthis, marking the second maritime incident in a week.

Six crew members were rescued, and at least three fatalities have been reported after the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C was sunk in the Red Sea during an attack allegedly executed by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. The ship was carrying a total of 25 crew members when it suffered extensive damage after coming under fire from small boats equipped with rocket-propelled grenades on Monday. The attack prompted the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency to initiate search and rescue operations, which commenced overnight.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that the Eternity C was heading towards Israel, a justification for their military action. Reports state that several surviving crew members were kidnapped by the Houthis, prompting calls for their immediate liberation from various parties, including the US embassy in Yemen. Among the crew were 21 Filipinos and a wounded Russian national who had to undergo the loss of a leg due to injuries sustained during the assault.

This incident marked the second time in a week that Houthis attacked merchant vessels in the Red Sea. On Sunday, a similar attack involved another Liberian-flagged ship, Magic Seas, which they claimed was associated with vessels violating regulations against accessing the ports of "occupied" Palestine. Video footage released by the Houthis depicted armed militants boarding the Magic Seas and detonating explosives, leading to its sinking. All 22 crew members on this ship were, fortunately, rescued by a passing merchant vessel.

The Houthis have recently escalated their maritime offensive, reportedly targeting roughly 70 merchant vessels since November 2023 with various attack methods. This series of hostilities has resulted in the sinking of four ships, the seizure of another, and at least seven crew member fatalities. While the Houthis profess to be assisting the Palestinian cause amid ongoing Israel-Hamas conflicts, many of their claims about targeting predominantly Israeli-associated vessels have held little accuracy.

In light of the recent violence, the EU’s Operation Aspides in the Red Sea has announced its involvement in the global response to the attacks. They confirmed the recovery of six members of the Eternity C crew. This group included five Filipinos and one Indian, while an additional 19 crew members remain unaccounted for. Greek-based maritime security firm Diaplous released a clip showing the rescue of crew members who had been floating in the sea for over 24 hours, affirming their commitment to search for the remaining individuals.

The US Department of State condemned the Houthi attacks, underlining the ongoing risk that these actions pose to maritime security and global navigation freedom. They reiterated intentions to safeguard commercial shipping from future threats. Following an earlier ceasefire agreement with the US, the Houthis have maintained that attacks against Israel would persist, asserting that their warfare is in retaliation against US and UK strikes on Yemen.

Amidst the chaos, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization has called for enhanced diplomatic efforts to address what he described as violations of international navigation law. He expressed concern over the plight of innocent seafarers and local communities suffering from these aggressive maritime incursions.