The European Union’s naval started yesterday its mission to rescue the crew of the attacked vessel in an Operation Aspides.
The mission confirmed the rescue of six crew members who were discovered from the sea.
A devastating attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea has left at least three crew members dead and 19 others missing, after Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the sinking of the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated Eternity C. The European Union’s naval mission, Operation Aspides, confirmed the rescue of six crew members who were recovered from the sea.
Attack Details
The Eternity C was carrying 25 crew members when it was hit by rocket-propelled grenades fired from small boats on Monday. The ship sustained significant damage and lost all propulsion, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The Houthis claimed they targeted the vessel because it was heading to Israel.
Rescue Efforts
The Greece-based maritime security firm Diaplous released a video showing the rescue of at least five seafarers who spent over 24 hours in the water. “We will continue to search for the remaining crew until the last light,” Diaplous said. The rescued crew members include five Filipinos and one Indian national.
Casualties and Missing Crew
Reports indicate that a Russian national on board was severely wounded, losing a leg in the attack. Authorities in the Philippines confirmed 21 crew members were citizens. Maritime security firms cited by Reuters reported a death toll of four.
International Condemnation
The US State Department condemned the attacks on the Magic Seas and Eternity C, stating they “demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthis rebels pose to freedom of navigation and regional economic and maritime security”. The International Maritime Organization’s secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez, called for intensified diplomatic efforts, saying the attacks constitute a “renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation”.
Houthi Claims and Actions
The Houthis have targeted around 70 merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, sinking four ships, seizing a fifth, and killing at least seven crew members. They claim to be acting in support of Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Recent Developments
This incident marks the second vessel sunk by the Houthis in a week, following the attack on the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship. All 22 crew members of the Magic Seas were safely rescued by a passing merchant vessel.
