Houthi Attack Sinks Eternity C in Red Sea, Killing Four and Leaving 15 Missing. On July 9, 2025, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels sank the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea, killing at least four of its 25 crew members and leaving 15 others missing, with reports suggesting many were kidnapped.
This marks the second deadly assault on commercial shipping in a week, following the sinking of another Greek-operated vessel, Magic Seas, on July 6. The attacks signal a resurgence of Houthi aggression in the strategic Red Sea corridor, disrupting global trade and raising fears of a renewed campaign targeting vessels linked to Israel. As rescue efforts continue, international condemnation grows, with calls for stronger maritime security to protect vital sea lanes.
Deadly Assault on Eternity C
The Eternity C, carrying 21 Filipino and one Russian crew members along with a three-person security team (including one Greek and one Indian national), was first attacked on Monday, July 7, 2025, 50 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah. Houthi militants used sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) fired from speedboats, destroying the ship’s lifeboats and leaving it adrift and listing by Tuesday morning.
A second wave of drone attacks on Tuesday forced the crew and armed guards to abandon the vessel, which sank early Wednesday. The Houthis released a video showing explosions and a call for the crew to evacuate, though Reuters could not verify its authenticity.
Maritime officials confirmed four deaths—one Russian and three Filipinos—with one crew member, a Russian, severely wounded and losing a leg. Six crew members, including five Filipinos and one Indian security guard, were rescued after over 24 hours in the water, according to the EU’s Operation Aspides naval mission. The fate of the remaining 15 remains unknown, with the U.S. Embassy in Yemen accusing the Houthis of kidnapping survivors. The Houthis, however, stated their navy “rescued” crew members, providing medical care and moving them to a “safe location,” a narrative met with skepticism by Western authorities.
Context of Houthi Maritime Campaign
The attack on Eternity C follows the sinking of the Magic Seas on July 6, where all 22 crew members were rescued. Both ships, operated by Greek firms, had sister vessels that docked at Israeli ports in the past year, making them targets under the Houthis’ stated policy of attacking Israel-linked shipping in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza conflict.
The Houthis claimed Eternity C was heading to Israel, though it was en route to the Suez Canal. Since November 2023, the group has attacked over 100 vessels, sinking four, seizing one, and killing at least seven seafarers, severely disrupting the Red Sea’s $1 trillion annual trade flow. A May 2025 U.S.-Houthi ceasefire paused attacks on non-Israeli vessels, but the group explicitly excluded Israel from the deal.
The Red Sea, a critical artery for global oil and commodities, has seen traffic drop by 50% since 2023, with daily sailings through the Bab al-Mandab strait falling from 43 on July 1 to 30 on July 8, per Lloyd’s List Intelligence. The attacks have forced shipping companies to reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding 11,000 nautical miles, 10 days, and $1 million in fuel costs per voyage. Oil prices hit their highest level since June 2023 on July 9, reflecting market concerns over the renewed threat.
International Response and Rescue Efforts
The international community swiftly condemned the attacks. The U.S. State Department, via spokesperson Tammy Bruce, called the Houthis’ actions a “blatant disregard for human life,” urging global condemnation of their “terrorist” attacks. The International Chamber of Shipping and BIMCO denounced the “callous disregard” for seafarers’ lives, calling for robust maritime security.
The EU’s Operation Aspides, alongside Greek firm Diaplous, rescued six crew members and vowed to search for the missing “until the last light.” Greece is engaging diplomatically with Saudi Arabia to address the crisis, while the Philippines, with 21 citizens among the crew, urged its mariners to avoid high-risk areas.
Human Rights Watch labeled the Houthis’ targeting of civilian vessels a potential war crime, noting that detaining crew members could constitute hostage-taking, a violation of international humanitarian law. The UN Security Council’s Resolution 2722, passed in January utilizes a blend of diplomacy and military action to counter the Houthis, who are backed by Iran and have resumed attacks amid escalating regional tensions, including Israeli strikes on Houthi-controlled Yemeni ports on July 6.
Implications for Maritime Security
The Eternity C attack, described as the Houthis’ “most violent” to date by the U.S. Embassy, has reignited fears of a full-scale maritime campaign, especially after a two-month lull. The Houthis’ use of advanced weaponry, including drones and ballistic missiles, and their release of propaganda videos showcasing the attacks underscore their intent to project power. The group’s actions, coupled with Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Yemen, risk further escalation, potentially drawing in regional players like Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The Eternity C’s operator, Cosmoship Management, has not commented on casualties or the kidnapping allegations, leaving families and authorities in limbo. With 15 crew members still missing, the international community faces mounting pressure to secure their release and bolster Red Sea security.
As the Gaza conflict persists, analysts warn that Houthi attacks may intensify, with maritime expert Ellie Shafik noting that vessels with even perceived Israeli ties remain at “extreme risk.” The tragedy underscores the human cost of the Red Sea crisis, with innocent seafarers caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflicts.
