Feature image: © BBC
The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C sank in the Red Sea following an attack by Houthi forces, resulting in fatalities and several crew members still unaccounted for.
According to the BBC, the Eternity C, operated by a Greek company and carrying 22 crew members and a four-member security team, was targeted approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen.
The vessel came under sustained assault involving drones, rocket-propelled grenades launched from speedboats, and small arms fire. The attack disabled the ship’s engines and communications, leaving it adrift.
The latest report from the BBC states that after hours of fighting, the crew abandoned the ship and entered the water. Six crew members were rescued after spending more than 24 hours at sea, while the fate of the remaining 15, including two security personnel, is still unknown.
At least four crew members have been confirmed dead.
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The situation regarding the missing crew members remains uncertain. According to the BBC, the US Embassy in Yemen posted on X that several survivors had been kidnapped.
Meanwhile, a Houthi spokesperson claimed that the Yemeni navy had rescued “a number of the ship’s crew“, provided them with medical care, and taken them “to a safe location.”
These claims have not yet been independently verified, and diplomatic efforts are ongoing to clarify the status of those still missing.
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This incident follows a recent pattern of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which have disrupted shipping and raised concerns about the safety of this critical maritime corridor.
The Eternity C attack occurred shortly after the sinking of another vessel, the Magic Seas, also attributed to Houthi militants.
Shipping volumes in the Red Sea remain significantly reduced compared to pre-escalation levels, reflecting the ongoing impact on global trade routes.
