Four sailors on board the Greek-operated, Liberian-flagged bulk freighter Eternity C were murdered in a lethal attack with drones and speedboats off Yemen’s coast, confirmed maritime officials Tuesday. It is the second significant Red Sea incident within one day, closing out months of quiet following Houthi maritime attacks.
The vessel, which had 22 crew members 21 Filipinos and one Russian came under attack by sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades launched from manned speedboats. Maritime security sources say the Eternity C is now adrift and listing.
The Houthi militia has made no comment on the incident. This is only hours after they had claimed responsibility for attacking another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated vessel, the Magic Seas, which they said had sunk. The operator of that ship, though, has not spoken of sinking, and all of its crew members were rescued safely and taken to Djibouti.
As reported by Aspides, the EU naval operation in the Red Sea, at least two crew members aboard the Eternity C were also hurt. Liberia’s UN delegate to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) first said two died, later confirmed four as more information unfolded.
The newest attack puts the number of seafarers killed in Red Sea shipping attacks at eight since November 2023, when Iran-aligned Houthis have been targeting ships as a protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Even after a May ceasefire agreement with the US, the Houthis threatened to keep attacking ships that they say are connected to Israel.
IMO deplored the fresh violence as a breach of international law and an assault on freedom of navigation. As long as the Gaza conflict continues, ships with even perceived Israeli links are at high risk, experts say.