Video: Houthis Sink Second Ship In A Week & Kidnap Its Surviving Crew

A Liberia-flagged bulk carrier named ETERNITY C has been sunk by Yemen’s Houthi group in the southern Red Sea, marking the second ship destroyed by the Iran-backed group within two days.

The attack left at least four crew members dead and 15 others missing, while six were rescued after spending over 24 hours in the water, according to European naval officials.

The vessel, operated by a Greek company and sailing under the Liberian flag, was hit on Monday and continued to be attacked until it sank on Wednesday. It is the fourth ship sunk by the Houthis since they began targeting commercial shipping last year.

The Houthis released a video on Wednesday showing ballistic and cruise missiles being launched and striking ETERNITY C. One missile hit the cargo hold near the ship’s bridge, leaving a large hole, and two more holes were seen near the waterline.

The video also shows the vessel eventually sinking stern-first, with an inflated life raft visible nearby.

مشاهد استهداف وإغراق سفينة (ETERNITY C) بعدد من الصواريخ الباليستية والمجنحة أثناء قيامها بانتهاك قرار حظر القوات المسلحة اليمنية واتجاهها إلى ميناء أم الرشراش في فلسطين المحتلة. pic.twitter.com/dbs404YF6u

— أمين حيان Ameen Hayyan (@AminHian) July 9, 2025

Per security sources, six seafarers were recovered from the water by rescuers coordinated by the EU’s Operation Aspides. Among the 25 people on board, four deaths have been confirmed. The missing include 15 crew members and guards. The deceased include at least three private security personnel.

The vessel’s crew consisted of 21 Filipino nationals, one Russian, and one Indian. One of the security guards may be Greek, according to Greek media. The Russian seafarer was seriously injured and reportedly lost a leg during the attack.

The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sare’e, issued a statement on his X account (formerly Twitter) confirming the group’s responsibility for the attack. He said their forces used an unmanned boat along with six ballistic and cruise missiles.

He also claimed that Houthi special forces rescued several seafarers, provided them medical assistance, and took them to a safe location. However, the spokesperson did not say how many were rescued, and independent sources have not been able to verify this claim.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Yemen has accused the Houthis of kidnapping some of the surviving crew and demanded their immediate release. There are conflicting reports about the situation-Houthi officials claim the crew was assisted, while international sources have raised concerns about possible kidnappings.

The ETERNITY C was attacked just a day after another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated ship, MAGIC SEAS, was targeted and sunk. All 22 crew members from that ship were evacuated safely before the vessel went down. The Houthis said the MAGIC SEAS belonged to a company that violated their declared ban on entering Israeli ports.

مشاهد استهداف وإغراق سفينة(MAGIC SEAS) التابعة لشركةٍ انتهكت قرار حظر القوات المسلحة اليمنية وذلك بإدخال سفن تابعة لها إلى موانئ فلسطين المحتلة.
pic.twitter.com/jgHFlOANPv

— أمين حيان Ameen Hayyan (@AminHian) July 8, 2025

Both vessels were struck with missiles and drones in the Red Sea. These back-to-back attacks are the first since October 2024, ending nine months of relative calm in the region. The ETERNITY C attack is said to have involved rocket-propelled grenades fired from small boats as well.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the ship lost propulsion after being hit and sank on Wednesday. Rescue efforts began overnight following the attack.

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said that ships in the region are being targeted based on previous visits to Israeli ports or links to companies that have done so. The Houthis have claimed over 100 attacks on vessels since November 2023, leading to at least seven deaths and severe disruption to maritime traffic. According to reports, shipping activity in the region has dropped by 60% compared to usual traffic levels.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recorded at least 69 attacks on international shipping between November 2023 and October 2024. Following the ETERNITY C incident, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez addressed the IMO Council in London, calling the attacks “a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation.” He urged diplomatic efforts to stop the violence and said innocent seafarers and local populations are suffering most.

In a joint statement, the International Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, and the European Shipowners’ Association condemned the recent violence. They said the attacks showed “callous disregard” for the lives of civilian seafarers and warned that such incidents could have deadly consequences.

Following the attacks, the JMIC has recommended that all shipping companies operating in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden urgently reassess risks.

If confirmed, this would be the first time since November 2023 that seafarers have ended up in Houthi custody. The last known incident involved the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader, whose Bulgarian crew was held for 14 months.

References: AP News, shippingtelegraph

Source: Maritime Shipping News