The situation in the Red Sea has intensified after the Houthis sink second Red Sea cargo ship in just one week. The latest incident involves the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel Eternity C, which came under heavy attack earlier this week.
The vessel, which was operated by a Greek company, had 25 crew members on board. It was struck by rocket-propelled grenades launched from Houthi boats. The attack caused major damage to the ship and disabled its engines. According to officials, the ship hit by a Houthi missile lost all propulsion and began sinking.
The Houthi ship attack began Monday and continued into Tuesday. European naval forces under Operation Aspides confirmed that the cargo ship in heavy seas could not survive the repeated assaults. They also said the ship sank during ongoing search and rescue efforts.
So far, 10 crew members have been rescued. These include Filipino, Greek, and Russian nationals. Tragically, at least three people are confirmed dead, and more remain missing. A rescue video released by the Greek security firm Diaplous showed several survivors pulled from the water after over 24 hours adrift.
The news cargo ship sinking drew international attention. Authorities in the Philippines said 21 of the crew were their citizens. One Russian sailor lost a leg in the attack and remains in serious condition.
The Houthi Red Sea attacks are part of a broader campaign by the Yemen-based militant group. They claimed responsibility for the attack on Eternity C, stating that the ship was heading toward Israel. In their statement, they also admitted to taking some of the surviving crew to a “safe location.”
However, the U.S. embassy in Yemen accused the Houthis of kidnapping crew members and demanded their immediate release. International concerns continue to grow over the safety of global shipping routes in the region.
This incident marks the second time in a week that the Houthis sink second Red Sea cargo ship, causing disruption to global trade routes and sparking renewed calls for maritime security in the area.
Search efforts are still ongoing, with naval forces and private maritime firms continuing to look for the missing crew. Authorities have pledged to keep the operation active “until the last light.”
The recent attacks highlight the increasing danger for cargo ships in heavy seas along the Red Sea. As the global community monitors the crisis, pressure is rising on all parties to restore peace and safety in this vital shipping lane.
