Seafarers rescued after Houthi strike
Six crew members have been rescued and at least three killed after a cargo ship was attacked and sunk by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, according to European naval sources.
The Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged and Greek-operated merchant vessel, was struck by explosives launched from small boats while sailing through international waters on Monday. The ship reportedly lost power and propulsion before sinking following a second wave of attacks the next day.
The European Union naval mission, Operation Aspides, confirmed on Wednesday that six castaways – five Filipinos and one Indian national – were pulled from the sea. Rescue efforts are continuing for 19 missing crew, while four fatalities have been reported by private security sources.
Crew kidnapped, one maimed
The Philippines government confirmed that 21 of the ship’s 25 crew were its citizens. A Russian crew member was seriously injured and lost a leg, officials added. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed to have taken some of the surviving sailors to a “safe location”.
The US embassy in Yemen accused the group of “kidnapping” survivors and called for their release.
The Eternity C is the second commercial vessel to be sunk by the Houthis in less than a week. Over the weekend, another Liberian-flagged cargo ship, Magic Seas, was struck by drones and missiles. Its 22 crew were later rescued by a passing vessel.
Attacks reignite shipping fears
Video footage released by the Houthis appears to show armed fighters boarding Eternity C before detonating explosives. The group claimed the ship was linked to Israel, though ownership has not been independently verified.
The International Maritime Organization condemned the renewed attacks, calling them a “violation of international law”. It warned that civilian sailors and nearby communities were paying the price.
Since late 2023, the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, part of what they claim is a campaign in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The US state department has reiterated that it will “take necessary action” to defend maritime trade routes from what it called “Houthi terrorist attacks”.
