A devastating maritime incident has unfolded in the Red Sea, where a cargo ship named Eternity C was sunk following a series of attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia. The assault has left four crew members dead, six rescued, and 15 still missing, according to international rescue teams and maritime security officials.
The Eternity C, a Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated vessel, was first targeted on Monday afternoon by sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades launched from speedboats. The attack continued into Tuesday, ultimately causing the ship to sink on Wednesday morning.
Among the 25 crew members were 21 Filipinos, one Russian, and three armed guards from Greece and India. The six survivors endured over 24 hours in open water before being rescued. There are growing concerns that some of the missing may have been kidnapped by Houthi forces.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the vessel was heading to Israel. They also released footage allegedly showing the assault and the ship’s final moments.
This marks the second ship sunk in the Red Sea this week, following the attack on the Magic Seas on Sunday. These incidents revive a campaign of maritime aggression that had previously targeted over 100 vessels between November 2023 and December 2024.
Global shipping organizations have condemned the attacks, calling for enhanced international maritime security. “This tragedy illuminates the need for nations to maintain robust support in protecting shipping and vital sea lanes,” said a joint statement from leading industry associations.
The EU’s Aspides naval mission and other international bodies continue search and rescue operations, while diplomatic efforts intensify to address the escalating threat in one of the world’s most critical trade routes.