Shipowner Ends Search For Missing Crew After Houthi Attack Sinks Eternity C

The search for the missing crew members of the cargo ship Eternity C, which sank after being attacked by Yemen’s Houthi militants, has been officially called off.

Maritime security companies Diaplous Group and Ambrey confirmed on Sunday that the search had ended based on a request from the vessel’s owner.

The Eternity C, flying the Liberian flag and operated by a Greek company, was hit by missile attacks on July 7 and 8 while sailing about 50 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Hodeidah port.

According to security sources involved in the rescue mission, the ship’s engine was damaged and it began to flood, eventually sinking on the morning of July 10.

There were 22 crew members and three armed guards on board at the time of the attack. Out of them, only 10 survivors have been confirmed rescued. They include eight Filipino sailors and two guards, one Greek and one Indian.

Maritime sources said the remaining 15 people are missing, and at least five are feared dead. The missing include 11 more Filipinos, one Russian national, and one more guard.

The Houthis claimed they had rescued some of the ship’s crew members, but this could not be independently confirmed.

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

In a joint statement, Diaplous and Ambrey explained that the vessel’s owner had made the difficult decision to stop the search and instead prioritise the immediate care and safety of the rescued survivors.

The firms stated that “the decision has been taken reluctantly,” but the owner believed that providing medical attention to the rescued individuals was the most urgent concern. The ship’s private security mission, which carried out the rescue, has now returned to a safe port.

Per reports, the shipowner might not have had war risk insurance for this voyage. According to Lloyd’s List, the insurer had taken the unusual step of declining coverage for sailing in the southern Red Sea.

Analysts from Vanguard Tech, a maritime risk consultancy, reported that the vessel’s owner operates at least two other ships that have previously visited Israeli ports. Since the Houthis have threatened to target ships connected to Israel, this may have increased the risk for Eternity C.

Despite the incident, no nearby naval forces joined the search. Ships from Europe, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and China were only a few days away, but none took part.

The United States Navy had already reduced its maritime patrols in the Red Sea after a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis was reached in May.

The Houthis have also taken responsibility for a separate attack on the cargo ship Magic Seas on July 7. That ship also sank, but its entire crew was rescued before it went down.

Since November 2023, Houthi militants have carried out over 100 attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea, saying their actions are in support of Palestinians during the Gaza conflict.

Reference: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News