A ship attacked earlier this week in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has sunk. According to Reuters, at least five crew members are currently in the water wearing life vests. A rescue operation is underway.
The Eternity C, a Greek-owned vessel sailing under the Liberian flag, came under attack Monday night by drones and armed men in small boats. Security personnel on board returned fire. Four crew members were killed. The ship had 22 crew members on board: 21 Filipinos and one Russian.
Since the attack, the surviving crew had been stranded on the drifting vessel. Lifeboats on board were destroyed during the assault, preventing the crew from safely abandoning ship. The Eternity C sank this morning.
This is a mission to bring the crew to safety. Some are injured and need urgent assistance, and the bodies of the deceased sailors must be recovered.
A company's representative involved in the rescue operation.
Sources say Greek government officials have initiated diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia to assist in the recovery of the sunken ship.
The assault on the Eternity C marks the second Houthi attack in as many days, following a period of relative calm. On Sunday, the rebels also targeted the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged cargo ship.
Drone footage released by the Houthis shows the Magic Seas sinking after the attack.