Ten crew members have been rescued and at least three fatalities have been reported following the sinking of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C after being hit by rocket-propelled grenades fired from Houthi small boats in the Red Sea. The agency UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the incident occurred while the ship was en route, and search and rescue operations are underway. The Iran-backed Houthis claimed the attack was aimed at the ship heading to Israel, asserting they have taken some crew members to a secure location.
The U.S. embassy has condemned the actions, alleging that the Houthis have "kidnapped many surviving crew members" and demanded their immediate release. Among the crew of 25 were 21 Filipinos, alongside one Russian individual who was severely injured with the loss of a leg during the assault. According to the EU's naval mission, four additional individuals were saved later, bringing the total rescues to ten, amidst ongoing search efforts.
The attack on Eternity C marks the second such incident in a week, following the sinking of another cargo ship, Magic Seas, which Houthis targeted by launching missiles and drones. Thankfully, all 22 crew members aboard Magic Seas were rescued by a nearby merchant vessel. Since November, the Houthis have attacked approximately 70 vessels, claiming to act in support of Palestine amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The U.S. State Department condemned the Houthi attacks, highlighting the threats posed to maritime navigation. The secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization called for a renewed diplomatic push to ensure the safety of maritime operations in the region. With tensions escalating, including missile interceptions by Israel's military from Yemen, concerns about the safety of seafarers and the implications for international trade remain high.
