At least four crew members died and many others were reportedly kidnapped after Houthi militants attacked and sank the cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea. The incident marks the second assault by the Iran-aligned group within a week, raising concerns about maritime security in the region. Rescuers managed to pull six crew members from the water after they spent over 24 hours adrift, while the fate of another 15 remains uncertain.
The attack on Eternity C occurred on the morning of July 8, 2024, following earlier assaults on the vessel on July 6 and July 7. Maritime officials report that four out of the 25 crew members aboard were killed during the attack, while the remaining crew abandoned ship as it sank. The United States Mission in Yemen condemned the Houthi actions, accusing them of kidnapping survivors and demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Details of the Attack
According to sources involved in the rescue operation, the Houthi militants employed sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades during the initial assaults. Eternity C was first attacked on July 6, and by the following morning, it was adrift and listing. The vessel was struck again on July 7, leading the crew and armed guards to evacuate. The Houthis reportedly remained near the sinking ship until early Wednesday.
The crew comprised 21 Filipino nationals and one Russian, along with three armed guards, including individuals from Greece and India. The Greek maritime firm, Cosmoship Management, has yet to confirm the casualties or injuries from the attack.
The Houthis released a video purportedly showing the attack, which included sounds of a call for crew evacuation by Yemeni naval forces and footage of explosions before the ship sank. However, Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video or its claims.
Impact on Maritime Security
The strikes on Eternity C and another vessel, Magic Seas, which was attacked just days earlier, underscore a resurgence in Houthi assaults on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO issued a joint statement condemning the attacks, emphasizing the need for enhanced maritime security. They described the incidents as a “callous disregard for the lives of innocent civilian seafarers,” highlighting the urgent need for nations to protect vital shipping routes.
In the wake of the attacks, oil prices rose to their highest levels since June 23, 2024, reflecting the growing concern over shipping safety in the Red Sea, a crucial waterway for global trade. Traffic through the Bab al-Mandab strait, a gateway to the Gulf of Aden, has seen a significant decline, with daily sailings decreasing from 43 vessels on July 1 to just 30 on July 8, according to maritime data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
As rescue operations continue, officials at the maritime risk management firm Diaplous stated, “We will continue to search for the remaining crew until the last light.” The EU’s Aspides naval mission, which focuses on protecting shipping in the Red Sea, confirmed that six individuals had been rescued from the sea.
The recent attacks have not only heightened tensions but have also prompted discussions between Greece and Saudi Arabia regarding the incident. If confirmed, the four reported fatalities would mark the first deaths resulting from attacks on shipping in the Red Sea since June 2024.
The international community watches closely as the situation unfolds, with calls for immediate action to bolster security for commercial shipping and ensure the safety of maritime personnel in the region.
