Six crew members have been rescued and at least three others killed after a cargo ship (Eternity C ) was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis and sank in the Red Sea, a European naval mission says.
The second attack
This was the second attack on a Liberian-flagged bulk cargo ship operated by a Greek company within 24 hours. The attack sank the vessel southwest of the city of Hodeidah, which is under the control of the Houthi group, which claimed responsibility for the attack according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.
The ship, operated by Greece
The ship, operated by Athens-based Cosmoship and operated by a Greek company, was sailing north toward the Suez Canal carrying a shipment of steel bound for Iran. whereas the Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for “sinking the Eternity Sea (built in 2012, 13 years old)” in the Red Sea, saying it was “heading for occupied Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat).”
According to reports from the British maritime security company, AMBREY, and the European Union’s anti-piracy force, Operation Atalanta, the Eternity C (636015837 MMSA and 9588249 IMO) was targeted with five rocket-propelled grenades, small arms fire, and bomb-laden drones.
Two crew members were injured in the attack, launched from several small boats, while two others were reported missing. At least two people were injured, including a Russian electrician who lost a leg, according to the European Maritime Security and Commercial Vessels (ASPEDS) mission on Tuesday. The ship was carrying 21 Filipino seafarers, one Russian crew member, and three security guards.
The ship lost propulsion and began to sink after sustaining severe damage from a direct hit, catching fire, and developing holes in its deck as a result of the attack. The pilothouse and deck suffered extensive damage, as well as water intrusion, which led to the ship completely sinking.
The US embassy
The US embassy in Yemen said the Houthis had “kidnapped many surviving crew members” and called for their immediate release.
It is noteworthy that since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted around 70 merchant vessels with missiles, drones and small boat attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Related : Ambrey : Crew abandon ship under attack in Red Sea off Yemen
Sources : Agencies
