Tragedy Strikes in the Red Sea: Four Lives Lost and 15 Unaccounted for Following Greek Vessel Sinking

Rescuers successfully pulled six crew members from the Red Sea, while 15 others remain missing following the sinking of two ships attacked by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia.

The *Eternity C*, a cargo vessel, faced a tragic fate this morning after being struck in a series of attacks on Monday and Tuesday. Reports indicate that four of the 25 individuals aboard were killed before the remaining crew had to abandon ship. The six seafarers rescued had spent over 24 hours in the water, demonstrating remarkable resilience amidst peril.

The Houthis confirmed today their role in sinking the *Eternity C*, emphasizing their intent with a similar attack on another vessel, the *Magic Seas*, just the day before. Thankfully, all crew members of the *Magic Seas* were rescued prior to its sinking.

This recent wave of attacks marks an unsettling end to several months of calm. The Houthi militia had previously attacked over 100 vessels between November 2023 and December 2024, claiming it was an act of solidarity with the Palestinians. “These vessels have been attacked with callous disregard for the lives of innocent civilian seafarers,” shipping industry associations stated in a joint message. “As a result, innocent lives have been lost,” they added, highlighting the pressing need for stronger international maritime protections.

The rescue operations for the impacted ships, both of which were registered under the Liberian flag and operated by Greek firms, underscore the gravity of the situation. Some of the vessels in their fleets had docked at Israeli ports within the past year, as per shipping data analysis.

“We will persist in our efforts to locate the missing crew until the last light,” assured an official from Diaplous, a maritime risk management firm based in Greece.

The EU’s Aspides naval mission, tasked with safeguarding Red Sea shipping, confirmed in a statement that six individuals had indeed been rescued.

The Red Sea, which traverses Yemen’s coastline, serves as a critical artery for global oil and commodity transport. Since the Houthi militia began their campaign in November 2023, there has been a marked decline in maritime traffic. Recent data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence reveals that daily sailings through the strategically important Bab-el-Mandeb Strait dropped from 43 vessels on July 1 to just 30 on July 8. The repercussions of this unrest are already being felt, as oil prices have surged to their highest levels since June 23, largely influenced by the recent maritime incidents.

The *Eternity C* was initially attacked on Monday using sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades fired from speed boats manned by suspected Houthi militants. The assault resulted in the destruction of lifeboats, leaving the vessel adrift and vulnerable. Reports indicate that the *Eternity C* was hit again on Tuesday, forcing armed guards and the crew to abandon the ship. Concerns have emerged that some of the crew members who entered the water might have been kidnapped during the chaos, as fast boats were observed in the vicinity amid the rescue efforts.

The crew comprised 21 Filipinos, one Russian, and three armed guards, including one from Greece and another from India, who was among those successfully rescued. While the vessel’s operator, Cosmoship Management, has yet to confirm casualties or injuries, should the reported four deaths be validated, they would represent the first fatalities associated with shipping attacks in the Red Sea since June 2024.

In light of these events, Greece has begun discussions with Saudi Arabia, a pivotal player in the region, regarding the recent incidents.

“In these turbulent times, collaboration is essential to safeguard our maritime interests,” highlighted one regional analyst as discussions progress.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.