- Ten crew members rescued from the sunken Eternity C; 11 remain missing.
- U.S. accuses Yemen’s Houthis of kidnapping surviving mariners.
- Attacks mark renewed maritime violence tied to Israel-Gaza conflict.
Rescue efforts intensified in the Red Sea after Houthi militants sank the Eternity C, a Greek-operated, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, earlier this week.
The U.S. Embassy in Yemen has condemned the Houthis for allegedly kidnapping several surviving sailors. Footage released by the Houthis shows their forces engaging the vessel over several hours with sea drones and gunfire.
Vanished at Sea: Red Sea Ship Sinking Sparks Rescue Race, Kidnap Allegations
The Eternity C was first struck by explosive drones and then assaulted again by Houthi militants using small boats and RPGs, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Maritime risk analysts confirmed this marks one of the deadliest attacks by the Houthis in the region since June. If confirmed, four sailors presumed dead in the attack would bring the week’s toll to at least six fatalities.
All crew aboard were civilians, primarily from the Philippines and Russia, with the vessel reportedly not requesting an EU naval escort despite heightened security alerts. The Magic Seas, another Greek-operated ship, was sunk earlier in the week with all crew safely rescued—making the Eternity C attack particularly alarming for maritime stakeholders.
Houthi forces claim their attack was a response to Israeli actions in Gaza and say vessels linked to nations supporting Israel will continue to be targeted. However, the U.S. has condemned these actions as acts of terrorism, accusing the group of both endangering and abducting innocent civilians. The situation has also raised alarms within international maritime unions and humanitarian agencies.
Philippine officials are actively engaging with the families of the missing crew, offering psychological support and real-time updates. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac emphasized the government’s commitment to standing by affected families, acknowledging the immense emotional toll and fears surrounding potential hostage situations.
The sinking of Eternity C and the unresolved fate of its crew highlight the growing danger for civilian mariners in the Red Sea. With tensions escalating and accusations of hostage-taking, international intervention and protection for shipping routes are more urgent than ever.
“When the sea is calm, every ship has a good captain.” — Swedish Proverb
