Four crew members of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C, which was attacked and sunk by Yemeni rebels earlier this week, are presumed dead as search operations continue in the Red Sea. The European Union’s Operation Aspides naval task force reported that 15 crew members are still missing, with the four presumed casualties among them. These grim updates were confirmed by a private company conducting search and rescue efforts in the area.
The attack occurred on Monday when Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeted the ship off the coast of the port city of Hodeida, continuing their assault for two days before ultimately sinking the vessel. This incident marks a resurgence in attacks on maritime shipping in the Red Sea after a period of relative calm, reflecting the Houthis’ ongoing campaign against what they perceive to be vessels connected to Israel. They have stated that their actions are motivated by solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to reports from Operation Aspides, a total of 25 individuals were aboard the Eternity C at the time of the attack. On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed that they had “rescued” an unspecified number of crew members and taken them to a secure location, a claim that has been met with skepticism. The U.S. embassy in Yemen subsequently accused the rebels of kidnapping the ship’s survivors, raising further concerns about the safety of those still unaccounted for.
The Houthis, who exercise control over significant areas of Yemen, had momentarily paused their military operations prior to a brief ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year but have now resumed their assaults, sparking international alarm and condemnation. The ongoing situation in the Red Sea raises critical questions about maritime security and the broader implications for regional stability.
