"Houthi attack on Greek vessel prompts rescue of four in Red Sea"

Rescue Efforts Continue After Houthi Attack on Ship in Red Sea

Four seafarers were rescued on Thursday after spending more than 48 hours in the Red Sea, as search operations continued for the remaining crew of the Greek vessel *Eternity C*, which sank following a Houthi attack that claimed at least four lives.

The latest rescue brings the total number of survivors to 10, including eight Filipino crew members, one Indian sailor, and a Greek security guard.

Four of the 25-member crew lost their lives in the attack—three Filipinos and one Russian. Eleven others remain missing, with six believed to have been taken by the Houthis, according to maritime security sources.

Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence at a UK-based maritime risk analysis firm, expressed concern for the missing and detained crew members, stating, "Their safety and prompt release should be a priority for all involved."

The *Eternity C* was the second vessel sunk by the Houthis this week, marking a breach of a May ceasefire agreement with the U.S. that had stipulated an end to attacks on Red Sea shipping. Earlier, the Houthis sank the Greek-owned *Magic Seas*, but all crew members were rescued.

The last such assault before this week occurred in December 2024, during a Gaza ceasefire.

Hans Grundberg, the UN envoy to Yemen, warned of escalating tensions in the region, citing the danger to civilian lives and potential environmental harm from the attacks.

U.S. officials condemned the Houthis for seizing crew members and demanded their immediate release.

The *Eternity C* was first struck on Monday with explosives, naval drones, and rocket-propelled grenades fired from speedboats. Houthi-released footage showed a missile launch accompanied by chants of "Death to Israel!" before the ship was engulfed in smoke.

A second attack on Tuesday night forced the crew to abandon ship as Houthi boats encircled the vessel.

A Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claimed that naval forces rescued and treated several crew members before relocating them to a "safe place." The group has previously held sailors from another seized ship, the *Galaxy Leader*, for over a year.

The Houthis assert their attacks support Palestinians and aim to pressure Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza, where more than 57,000 people have died in the conflict.

The group has also frequently fired ballistic missiles toward Israel, most of which have been intercepted by Israeli defenses.

Early Thursday, the Houthis stated they had targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a missile, which Israeli authorities claimed to have shot down. Prior warnings from the group had signaled a renewal of maritime assaults.