Red Sea: A major search and rescue effort is underway after the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged and Greek-operated cargo ship, was sunk by Yemen’s Houthi militants in the Red Sea.
The attack, which involved rocket-propelled grenades fired from small boats, caused severe damage to the vessel, eventually leading it to lose propulsion and sink after more than a day under assault. So far, six crew members have been found alive — five Filipinos and one Indian — but at least 19 others remain missing.
Operation Aspides, the EU’s naval mission, is leading rescue operations. The US embassy in Yemen confirmed that some crew members were taken hostage and has demanded their immediate release. Reports indicate 21 of the crew are Filipino nationals; a Russian crew member was critically injured during the incident.
The Houthis claim they targeted the Eternity C because it was bound for Israel. This attack comes just days after the same group targeted the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-managed cargo ship, accusing it of violating an entry ban to Israeli ports.
Since late 2023, Houthi militants have stepped up assaults on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, sinking four ships and attacking dozens more in what they say is support for Palestinians in Gaza.
The International Maritime Organization has urged immediate diplomatic intervention to protect seafarers and safeguard critical shipping routes. The US has condemned the attacks and promised to defend global maritime traffic in the region.
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