The vital Red Sea shipping lane faces a severe and escalating crisis. A second cargo vessel has tragically sunk in just one week following a deliberate attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This latest incident has resulted in crew casualties and sparked an urgent international search for survivors. The persistent assaults underscore the grave danger faced by seafarers and the significant disruption to global maritime trade in this critical waterway.
The European naval mission, Operation Aspides, confirmed the sinking and rescue efforts. The Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated ship, named the Eternity C, was carrying a crew of 25 when it came under fire. Initial reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency indicated the attack occurred on Monday. Small boats reportedly fired rocket-propelled grenades at the vessel, causing extensive damage and crippling its propulsion system.
The attack tragically continued into Tuesday. Search and rescue operations began overnight as the full extent of the damage became clear and the ship started to founder. Maritime security firms tracking the incident reported a death toll among the crew of four. Earlier assessments from the European naval mission had indicated at least three fatalities.
Rescuers pulled six crew members from the water. Operation Aspides officials specified that five of those rescued were Filipino nationals. The sixth rescued individual was confirmed to be an Indian national. Despite these rescues, a significant number of seafarers remain missing, with 19 crew members still unaccounted for.
One crew member, a Russian national, suffered severe injuries during the attack. He reportedly lost a leg. The fate and condition of the missing sailors remain a primary concern for rescue teams.
The Iran-backed Houthi group quickly claimed responsibility for the attack. They asserted the Eternity C was targeted because it was allegedly heading towards Israeli ports. The Houthis also made the contentious claim that they had taken an unspecified number of crew members to a “safe location” ashore.
However, the United States embassy in Yemen presented a contrasting account. US officials stated the Houthis had “kidnapped many surviving crew members.” The US embassy called for the immediate and unconditional release of any captured sailors. This discrepancy highlights the complex and often conflicting narratives surrounding the conflict.
This sinking follows another Houthi attack the previous Sunday. That incident involved another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship, the Magic Seas. The Houthis struck the Magic Seas with missiles and drones. They justified that attack by claiming the vessel belonged to a company violating their declared ban on entry to ports in “occupied Palestine.”
Houthi-released video footage showed armed individuals boarding the Magic Seas. The video appeared to show them setting off explosions. These actions ultimately caused that vessel to sink as well. Fortunately, all 22 crew members aboard the Magic Seas were safely rescued by a merchant ship that was passing nearby.
Since November 2023, the Houthi group has significantly escalated its attacks on commercial shipping. They have targeted around 70 merchant vessels navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks have utilized a variety of weapons, including missiles, drones, and small boat assaults.
The recent sinkings of the Eternity C and Magic Seas bring the total number of ships destroyed by the Houthis to four. The group has also seized one vessel and its crew. Tragically, their attacks have now resulted in the deaths of at least seven innocent crew members across the targeted vessels.
The Houthis publicly state their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians. They link their Red Sea campaign to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The group frequently claims, though these claims are often disputed or proven false, that they are exclusively targeting ships with links to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom. Both the US and UK have conducted targeted air strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen in response to the shipping attacks.
International efforts are underway to address the crisis and assist those affected. The EU’s naval mission in the Red Sea, Operation Aspides, confirmed its active participation in the response to the attack on the Eternity C. They reported the recovery of the six crew members from the sea.
Maritime security firm Diaplous also played a role in the rescue operations. The company released video footage showing the rescue of at least five seafarers. Diaplous reported that these sailors had spent over 24 hours adrift in the water before being located and brought to safety. The firm stated its commitment to continuing the search for the remaining missing crew members.
The United States government strongly condemned the attacks on both the Magic Seas and the Eternity C. The US State Department characterized the incidents as clear demonstrations of the ongoing threat posed by the Houthi rebels. They specifically cited the threat to freedom of navigation, regional economic stability, and maritime security.
The US reiterated its stance that it would take necessary actions to protect commercial shipping. They emphasized the need for the international community to universally condemn the Houthi terrorist attacks. This position highlights the global implications of the Red Sea instability.
In a separate, but related development, Israel’s military reported intercepting a missile. The missile was launched from Yemen on Thursday. No further specific details were provided about this interception.
Previous diplomatic efforts have seen limited success in fully halting the Red Sea hostilities. In May, the Houthis reportedly agreed to a ceasefire deal with the United States. This followed several weeks of intensified US air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. However, the Houthis clarified that this agreement did not include an end to their attacks related to Israel. Israel has also conducted multiple rounds of retaliatory strikes against targets in Yemen.
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, voiced serious concern over the renewed attacks. He issued a call for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Mr. Dominguez described the resumption of the attacks after a period of relative calm as a “deplorable” development. He stated it constituted a renewed violation of international law and the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation. He particularly highlighted the humanitarian cost, warning that innocent seafarers and local populations are the primary victims. He also pointed to the potential environmental damage caused by sinking ships and resulting pollution.
The sinking of the Eternity C serves as a grim reminder of the perils faced by those working in the Red Sea today. It also underscores the urgent need for a resolution to a conflict that is now claiming lives and significantly impacting global trade routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the cargo ship Eternity C attacked by Houthis?
The Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C was attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Struck by rocket-propelled grenades from small boats, the vessel sustained significant damage and lost power. Despite search and rescue efforts, the ship ultimately sank. The attack resulted in multiple crew casualties, with some members rescued but many others still missing.
How many ships have the Houthis sunk in the Red Sea recently?
Including the Eternity C and the Magic Seas in the past week, the Houthi group has now sunk a total of four merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023. In addition to the sinkings, the Houthis have also seized one ship and attacked approximately 70 different vessels in the region using missiles, drones, and small boat assaults.
Who is searching for missing crew members after the Houthi attacks?
Following the attack on the Eternity C, search and rescue operations were immediately launched. The European naval mission Operation Aspides is actively participating in the response. Private maritime security firms, such as Diaplous, have also been involved in rescuing seafarers from the water. Efforts continue to locate and recover the crew members who remain missing after the vessel sank.
