Yemen Monitor/Hudaidah/Reuters:
Four sailors aboard a Liberian-flagged, Greek-managed bulk carrier were killed in a drone and speedboat attack off the coast of Yemen, a knowledgeable official stated on Tuesday. This marks the second incident in a single day after months of calm.
The Red Sea, bordering Yemen’s coast, has long been a crucial waterway for global oil and goods. However, traffic has significantly decreased since the Iranian-backed Houthi militia began targeting ships in November 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians against Israel’s brutal war in the Gaza Strip.
This latest incident brings the total number of sailors killed in Red Sea shipping attacks to eight.
The Houthis have not yet commented on the attack on the vessel, the Eternity C.
According to an informed source, one injured crew member died on board the ship following the assault. An official with Aspides, the EU mission tasked with protecting Red Sea shipping, confirmed that at least two more crew members were injured. The Liberian shipping delegation had previously informed a UN meeting that two crew members had died.
Maritime security sources told Reuters that the Eternity C, carrying 22 crew members—21 Filipinos and one Russian—was attacked by naval drones and rocket-propelled grenades fired from manned speedboats.
Two maritime security companies, including Greece-based Diaplous, are preparing a rescue mission for the crew stranded on the Eternity C.
Sources also indicated that Greece is engaged in diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia regarding the incident.
