Once again, tragedy has hit the most vulnerable group of people in global trade – SEAFARERS when 4 crew from the Eternity C are reported to have been killed, and at least 15 crew missing and 6 rescued after Houthis attacked and sank a 2nd ship in a week..
The Eternity C, a bulker ship operated by a Greek company and flagged in Liberia, had 22 crew on board when it was hit by RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenades) fired from small boats..
As per the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, the ship sustained substantial damages, including loss of propulsion, and eventually sank off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, which is under the control of the Houthis..
The Guardian is reporting that the continued attacks on Tuesday forced the crew to jump in the water, stoking fears that Houthis may have kidnapped some of those crew.
As per the Guardian, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and saying the vessel was heading towards Eilat in Israel. Their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said: “The naval force of the Yemeni armed forces targeted the ship”..
Both the Magic Seas and the Eternity C are Liberia-flagged bulk carriers operated by Greek firms. The Greek-based maritime risk management firm Diaplous told the Guardian, “We will continue to search for the remaining crew until the last light. We aim at a peaceful operation”..
The crew of Eternity C is said to comprise 21 Filipinos, 1 Russian and 4 armed guards.. The Russian and three Filipinos are reported to have been killed in the attack, as per a representative of UK Maritime Trade Operations.. These deaths are the first from ship attacks in the Red Sea since June 2024..
As has been reported, the Houthis and the United States agreed to a ceasefire in May 2025 after months of American airstrikes, and as part of the deal, the Houthis had promised to keep shipping lanes open..
However, on 22nd June, the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites which the Houthis strongly condemned and vowed to continue their resistance..
The Houthis claim they target ships connected to Israel to show support for Palestinians and pressure Israel’s military to end its assault on Gaza..
After Sunday’s attack, they declared that vessels owned by companies with ties to Israel were legitimate targets and said they would keep striking such ships “until the aggression against Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted”..
The Magic Seas and Eternity C may have been targeted because they had previously docked in Israel although they were not Israeli-owned..
US State Department has said, “These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security”..
The world’s leading shipping organisations have joined the IMO in condemning these attacks.. A joint statement by ICS, BIMCO, European Shipowners | ECSA, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO said “In recent days, two ships have now been attacked in the Red Sea. One has sunk and the other has suffered extensive damage. These vessels have been attacked with callous disregard for the lives of innocent civilian seafarers and as an inevitable but terrible consequence, seafarers have been killed.
We join with the IMO Secretary General in his denunciation of the attacks and we call on all stakeholders to uphold the safety and security of innocent civilian seafarers as they pass through this vital waterway, carrying the food, goods and energy the world’s economy relies upon. This tragedy illuminates the need for nations to maintain robust support in protecting shipping and vital sea lanes. We urge that the international standards of freedom of navigation and the sanctity of human life are recognised, upheld and defended.”
We hope that better sense prevails all around if not for anything else but for the safety of innocent seafarers without whom the world will come to a grinding halt..
