"Seven sailors saved after Houthi strike sinks vessel in Red Sea"

Seven crew members of a cargo ship that sank in the Red Sea following an assault by Houthi forces have been rescued, while at least four died and 14 remain unaccounted for.

The rescued individuals from the vessel *Eternity C* spent over a day in the water before being recovered, according to security companies assisting in the efforts. Search operations continue for the missing crew.

Maritime security sources reported that *Eternity C* was initially targeted on Monday afternoon with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades launched from speedboats by Houthi fighters based in Yemen. By Tuesday night, the ship was struck again, forcing crew members to abandon ship, two security sources confirmed.

Concerns arose that some of those who jumped overboard might have been seized by Houthi forces, as small boats were spotted in the area during rescue attempts.

The Houthis asserted responsibility for the assault, stating it was an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and claiming the ship was bound for Eilat in Israel. A military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, announced, “The naval forces of the Yemeni armed forces struck the vessel.”

The same group, backed by Iran, also took credit for a similar strike on another ship, *Magic Seas*, on Sunday. That vessel’s entire crew was saved before it went under.

These events mark a renewal of Houthi assaults on Red Sea shipping. Such attacks began in November 2023 but paused for a period in December 2024.

Both targeted ships flew Liberian flags and were managed by Greek companies. A representative from the maritime risk firm Diaplous, based in Greece, stated, “We will keep searching for the missing crew until daylight fades. Our goal is a smooth operation.”

A spokesperson for UK Maritime Trade Operations confirmed that four crew members of *Eternity C*—one Russian and three Filipinos—lost their lives in the incident.

The crew consisted of 21 Filipinos and one Russian national, while the ship’s security team included a Greek guard.

Security company Ambrey reported that *Eternity C* sustained severe damage before sinking near Hodeidah, a Yemeni port city under Houthi control.

The pause in attacks in December aligned with a ceasefire in Gaza. The Houthis promised to halt strikes on all vessels except those linked to Israel. Later, they warned of targeting Israeli ships after Israel ended its Gaza ceasefire in mid-March, leading to U.S. airstrikes in Yemen.

In May, following months of U.S. bombardments, the Houthis and the U.S. reached a truce, provided the group allowed safe passage for ships. By late June, the Houthis suggested they might renew assaults on Israeli ships in the Red Sea if the U.S. attacked Iran, their main supporter.

The group criticized U.S. actions after three Iranian nuclear sites were struck on June 22, pledging to sustain their opposition.

The Houthis maintain they focus on ships tied to Israel in response to the Gaza conflict.