Red Sea: Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations in the Red Sea after a Houthi attack sank the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C. The vessel was targeted by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants, leading to its sinking. Six crew members have been rescued alive, while at least 19 others remain unaccounted for.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, the Eternity C sustained severe damage after being hit by rocket-propelled grenades launched from small boats. The vessel lost all propulsion and eventually sank after the attack continued for more than a day.
The European Union’s naval mission, Operation Aspides, has confirmed its role in the ongoing rescue efforts and said that five of the rescued crew are Filipinos and one is Indian.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility, stating that the Eternity C was heading to Israel. The US embassy in Yemen stated that the group has taken some surviving crew members hostage and demanded their release. Among the 25 crew members onboard, 21 are reported to be Filipino citizens, while one Russian national was severely injured and lost a leg.
This marks the second vessel facing Houthi attack within a week. Just days earlier, they targeted the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship, claiming the vessel violated an entry ban to Israeli ports.
Video footage released by the Houthis showed armed men boarding the ship and causing explosions that sank it.
Since November 2023, Houthi attacks on international shipping have escalated, targeting about 70 merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They have now sunk four vessels, seized another, and killed at least seven crew members, claiming the attacks support Palestinians during the Gaza conflict.
The International Maritime Organization has called for urgent diplomatic action, warning that the renewed Houthi attack threatens seafarers and disrupt global shipping lanes. The US state department condemned the actions and vowed to continue protecting commercial shipping in the region.
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