Credited from: BBC
Rescue operations continue in the Red Sea following the sinking of the Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C by Yemen's Houthi militia. On Thursday, rescuers pulled three additional crew members and a security guard from the water, raising the total number of survivors to ten, while 11 crew members remain unaccounted for, according to maritime security sources and reports from BBC, Dawn, and TRT Global.
The attack on the Eternity C, confirmed as part of a broader campaign by the Iran-aligned Houthis, began with strikes from sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades launched from speedboats. Initial reports indicate that four of the 25 crew members aboard have been killed, which would mark the first maritime fatalities since June 2024, raising significant concerns over maritime security in the region, as highlighted by Dawn and Reuters.
In response to the ongoing attacks, many shipping companies have suspended operations through the volatile waters, worried about further incidents, and leading maritime associations have called for robust international support for the protection of vital sea lanes, according to South China Morning Post and Dawn.
The Eternity C had previously delivered cargo for the UN World Food Program and was sailing to Jeddah for fuel when it was first attacked, further complicating the maritime and humanitarian situation in the region. The United States Mission to Yemen has condemned the Houthi actions, labeling them as kidnappings and calling for the immediate release of the missing crew members, as mentioned by BBC, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.
Rescue missions are being coordinated by maritime security firms, as continuing efforts aim to locate the remaining missing individuals. Amidst these developments, the Houthis have reiterated their position against companies involved in shipping goods related to Israel, revolutionizing the maritime environment of the Red Sea significantly, as noted by Dawn and South China Morning Post.