At least four seafarers have died and more were injured following a Houthi rebel attack on the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier in the Red Sea. The ship, which had 21 Filipino crew members and one Russian on board, was hit by sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades near Yemen, maritime officials confirmed on Tuesday.
One injured crew member reportedly died onboard, raising the fatality count. The Eternity C is currently adrift and listing, with rescue operations being planned by two maritime security firms, including Greece-based Diaplous.
This attack, the first deadly incident involving shipping in the Red Sea since June 2024, brings the total seafarer death toll from Red Sea assaults to eight. The vessel operator, Cosmoship Management, has yet to comment.
The strike on the Eternity C followed another Houthi assault earlier that week on the MV Magic Seas, another Greek-operated ship. The Houthis claim it sank, and they released a video showing explosions and a Mayday call. All crew aboard Magic Seas were rescued and brought to Djibouti.
Liberia’s delegation, speaking at an International Maritime Organization (IMO) session, described the incidents as back-to-back tragedies. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned the attacks as violations of international law and threats to freedom of navigation.
The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers reminded Filipino sailors they are entitled to refuse assignments in conflict zones like the Red Sea, especially amid rising risks linked to perceived connections with Israel. Since November 2023, shipping traffic through the Red Sea has dropped by about 50%, and experts expect the downward trend to continue due to ongoing instability.