A cargo ship hit by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has sunk in the Red Sea, causing the deaths of at least three crew members. Nineteen others are missing. Only six out of the 25 people on board have been rescued so far, according to a European naval force in the region.
The ship, named Eternity C, sailed under the Liberian flag and was attacked on Wednesday morning. This marks one of the most severe assaults by the Iran-backed group in this busy maritime route. The Red Sea, once handling cargo worth $1 trillion each year, has become increasingly unsafe.
The Eternity C was hit with multiple weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, small arms, two drones, and two bomb-filled drone boats. After hours of damage and chaos, the ship sank at 7:50 a.m.
The crew included 22 sailors — 21 from the Philippines and one from Russia — plus a three-person security team. Only five Filipinos and one Indian were rescued. The nationalities of the three who died are not yet confirmed.
Videos later released by the rebels show the ship under heavy attack, with its bridge damaged and oil leaking into the sea. Holes along the ship’s side allowed water to rush in before it eventually sank.
The Eternity C was owned by a Greek company and likely targeted because of business ties to Israel. It had not requested naval escort from the EU-led force, which patrols the area.
This attack follows another recent incident involving the bulk carrier Magic Seas, which also sank after a similar assault. Both events have shaken confidence among shipping companies that had begun returning to the Red Sea after earlier avoiding it due to Houthi attacks.
Since late 2023, the Houthis have claimed to target commercial vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza. They paused briefly during a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war but resumed attacks following U.S. airstrikes earlier in the year.
A Houthi military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for the latest attack in a video. In it, rebels can be heard chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. Similar videos had followed earlier assaults on other vessels, including the Sounion in August 2024.
In the Philippines, government officials are now working with the families of the missing crew. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said they are offering both emotional and logistical support during the search and rescue.
The attacks have drawn strong condemnation worldwide. A U.S. State Department official called the Houthi actions a serious threat to regional stability and global shipping.
The EU force noted that one wounded crew member had to have a leg amputated.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region continue to rise. Israel recently bombed three ports in Yemen controlled by the Houthis. One of those, Hodeida, showed signs of serious damage in satellite images. Parts of the pier were destroyed, which may disrupt the unloading of food and aid.
Israel claims the Houthis have been using the port to smuggle weapons. Yet, a Houthi official stated on Wednesday that shipments were still arriving without issue. He blamed the damage on Israeli strikes and accused the United Nations of ignoring the situation.
The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa. A Saudi-led coalition tried to retake the port of Hodeida in 2018 but backed off due to international pressure and concerns about civilian suffering.
As fears grow over environmental harm and more attacks, global leaders warn that Yemen should not be dragged deeper into the region’s conflicts. The fragile humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to worsen as vital infrastructure is damaged and aid deliveries are put at risk.
