Following the sinking of the Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks, guided efforts are underway to locate survivors, with ten crew members rescued and others reportedly kidnapped. This incident follows the earlier attack on another vessel, Magic Seas. Heightened naval security and international outrage underscore the escalating danger to maritime safety in the region.
Search Operation Underway After Houthi Attacks Sink Cargo Ships in Red Sea
Search Operation Underway After Houthi Attacks Sink Cargo Ships in Red Sea
A second cargo ship attack in a week by Yemen's Houthis raises concerns as search and rescue operations continue for the missing crew.
A search and rescue operation is currently in effect in the Red Sea after Yemeni Houthis targeted a cargo ship, the Eternity C, leading to its sinking. The vessel, carrying 25 crew members, was struck by rocket-propelled grenades from Houthi-operated small boats on Monday, resulting in the loss of propulsion and significant damage, as reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency. By Tuesday, the Houthis had confirmed their assault, claiming the ship was destined for Israel and asserting that they had taken an unspecified number of crew members to a "safe location."
The United States Embassy in Yemen condemned the incident, alleging that many crew members had been kidnapped and calling for their immediate release. Of the crew aboard, 21 were citizens of the Philippines, and one was a severely wounded Russian national who lost a leg in the attack. According to the EU's naval mission in the Red Sea, Operation Aspides, another four individuals were rescued on Wednesday night, bringing the total number of survivors to ten, including three Filipinos and one Greek national.
The maritime security firm Diaplous released footage of the rescue aboard the Eternity C, which revealed at least five crew members had spent over 24 hours in the water. The firm vowed to continue searching until they recover the remaining crew members.
This incident marks the second attack by the Houthis in less than a week, with another cargo ship, the Magic Seas, being targeted just days prior, leading to a successful rescue of all 22 crew members. The Houthis insisted their actions were in solidarity with Palestine amidst the ongoing conflict with Israel and have taken credit for various attacks on vessels they claim support Israel, the US, or the UK.
In recent months, the Houthis have targeted approximately 70 merchant vessels, resulting in the sinking of four ships, the hijacking of one, and at least seven crew members dead. This marks a significant escalation in maritime threats, as reiterated by the US State Department, which condemned the attacks and highlighted their implications for navigation safety.
The head of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, urged for urgent diplomatic efforts to address the renewed attacks in the region, emphasizing the dangers posed to innocent seafarers and the local populace. In a parallel development, reports indicate that Israel’s military intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, underscoring the ongoing regional tensions.
