Tens rescued, dozens missing after deadly Huthi ship disaster

Yemen’s Huthis Sink Commercial Vessel, Eleven Remain Missing

The European Union’s Operation Aspides confirmed that a cargo ship was attacked and later sank in the Red Sea, a move that has escalated a former truce that aimed to ensure freedom of navigation.

Rescue Operation

• Three Filipino crew members and a Greek security officer were salvaged from the sea while ten people were rescued overall.
• The EU force posted the launch data on its X page, announcing the breakthrough.

Huthi Claims and US Embassy Response

The Iran‑backed Huthis claimed that they had “rescued” an unspecified number of the ship’s crew and transported them to a “safe location.” The U.S. embassy for Yemen countered this claim, accusing the rebels of kidnapping the survivors.

Attack Context

This incident marks the second assault on a commercial vessel in quick succession, amplifying tensions in a critical maritime waterway and threatening a May truce with the United States that had aimed to protect the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Propaganda Video and Sinking Sequence

The Huthis released a propaganda video depicting the Liberian‑flagged bulk carrier being attacked and sunk. This was the second sinking after the scuttling of the Magic Seas on Sunday.

Onboard Numbers and Casualties

According to Operation Aspides, the Liberian‑flagged Eternity C carried 25 people. The force reported that three people were killed and at least two were wounded, including a Russian electrician who lost a leg. By the next day, the casualties reached a higher tally.

Strategic Implications

• These consecutive attacks have broken a month‑long lull that began after the Gaza war’s start.
• They have forced companies to avoid a route that normally carries 12 percent of global trade.

Grave Concerns and Potential Environmental Damage

United Nations envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, expressed “grave concern” over the latest attacks, citing civilian loss of life and environmental damage risks.

Comparative Attack History

While the Magic Seas crew was rescued by an Emirati ship, the attack on the Eternity C is the most deadly since the last missile attack on the True Confidence merchant vessel in March 2023.

Previous Huthi attacks include the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader in November 2023 and the sinking of the Rubymar carrying 21,000 tonnes of fertiliser in February 2024.