Houthi Video Shows Dramatic Red Sea Attack on Greek Bulker Eternity C

Image: Screenshot from video released by Yemeni armed forces

The U.S. Embassy Yemen said Wednesday that the Houthi group kidnapped many surviving crew members of the ship Eternity C in the Red Sea after attacking it.

“After killing their shipmates, sinking their ship and hampering rescue efforts, the Houthi terrorists have kidnapped many surviving crew members of the Eternity C,” the embassy said in a statement on X.

It called for their “immediate and unconditional safe release.” “The Houthis continue to show the world why the United States was right to label them a terrorist organization,” it added in the statement on X (former twitter).

Yemen’s Houthis took responsibility of the attack on the Greek-managed bulker Eternity C in the southern Red Sea, the second ship attacked by Iran-backed Houthis this week after months of calm. Houthis have released a footage late on Wednesday appearing to show the attack on the Liberia-flagged vessel Eternity C in the Red Sea.

Houthis said Wednesday they have responded to rescue a number of seafarers from the Greek bulker, providing them with medical care and transporting the crew to a safe location. Meanwhile, the EU’s military operation Aspides, which protects Red Sea shipping, confirmed in a statement that six crew members have been recovered from the sea.

In a statement released on his X channel on Wednesday, the spokesperson of the Yemeni armed forces Yahya Sare’e formally claimed responsibility for the attack.

“Following the operation, a group of special forces from the Yemeni Navy responded to rescue a number of the ship’s crew, provide them with medical care and transport them to a safe location,” Sare’e said.

The military spokesman said the attack was carried out with an unmanned boat and six cruise and ballistic missiles.

“The operation resulted in the complete sinking of the ship, and the operation was documented with audio and video,” Sare’e added.

The spokesman did not clarify how many seafarers were allegedly rescued. Shipping Telegraph cannot independently verify the information.

Following the attack on the merchant vessel Eternity C in the southern Red Sea, currently six castaway crew members have been recovered from the sea, the EU military operation in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf, EUNAVFOR Aspides, stated yesterday on its social media account X (former twitter).

The European Union-operation Aspides currently participates in the coordination of the international response, by involving and synchronizing all willing actors in the area.

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, has called for intensified diplomatic efforts following a renewed wave of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea.

Addressing the IMO Council in London, Dominguez expressed dismay over recent assaults on the Greek bulker vessels, both Liberia-flagged, Magic Seas and Eternity C, both targeted on 6 and 7 July.

“After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation,” Dominguez said.

“Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause.”

Houthi Video Shows Dramatic Red Sea Attack on Greek Bulker Eternity C

Image: Screenshot from video released by Yemeni armed forces

In a joint industry statement, International Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, European Shipowners | ECSA, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO, commented on the latest developments in the Red Sea: “In recent days, two ships have now been attacked in the Red Sea. One has sunk and the other has suffered extensive damage. These vessels have been attacked with callous disregard for the lives of innocent civilian seafarers and as an inevitable but terrible consequence, seafarers have been killed.”

IMO secretary-general issued an urgent appeal for intensified diplomatic efforts, stating, “I appeal to all of you to step up efforts, because the only way to address these geopolitical conflicts affecting the shipping sector is through constructive dialogue.”

In response, several Member States took the floor to voice statements of solidarity with those affected by the attacks. IMO Council chair, Victor Jiménez (Spain), condemned the attacks and echoed the secretary-general’s call for dialogue.

According to IMO data confirmed by flag States, at least 69 attacks on international shipping, linked to broader geopolitical tensions in the region, were recorded between November 2023 and October 2024.

This week’s incidents mark the first since October.

Video: Spokesperson of the Yemeni armed forces Yahya Sare’e