Three dead and two injured as Houthi attacks continue

THREE seafarers are confirmed to have died and at least two more have been seriously injured as Yemen’s Houthi militants continued to attack a Liberia-flagged bulker in the Red Sea on Tuesday.

The attacks, which started on Monday with at least four speedboats and two unmanned aerial vehicles repeatedly firing on the Greek-operated, 36,830 dwt bulker Eternity C. (IMO: 9588249), have continued into Tuesday leaving the vessel severely damaged.

The latest reports, confirmed by EU Naval forces who have established a partial VHF contact with crew, confirm three casualties on board, including the chief engineer, an oiler and an engine cadet.

At least two more are seriously injured, including a Russian electrician who has lost a leg.

The vessel has suffered severe damage and is currently listing 15° to starboard. The engine room has been severely damaged and the vessel has lost all propulsion.

An order to abandon ship order was given at 0613 hrs, but evacuation has been hindered due to the lifeboats being destroyed during the first wave of attacks.

A nearby containership, the St Kitts and Nevis-flagged Baryon (IMO: 9151412) was proceeding to assist, however, the mission was paused after a skiff was observed approaching the distressed vessel.

There were 22 crew on board Eternity C at the time of the attack including 21 Filipinos and one Russian. A three-member security team was also on board.

The initial attack, which started on Monday evening, was carried out by men in four speedboats who repeatedly fired rocket-propelled grenades at the ship. Eternity C was approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah at the time, transiting from Berbera to Jeddah carrying 1,400 tonnes of soya as part of a UN World Food Programme charter.

Since the initial attack, the vessel has been engaged on four separate occasions by up to eight skiffs with RPGs and small weapons, and UAVs.

The latest report indicated that the vessel had been surrounded by skiffs and was under attack from small arms fire.

“The vessel has sustained significant damage and has lost all propulsion,” the UK Maritime Trade Operations, a liaison between the UK navy and commercial shipping, said on Tuesday. “The vessel is surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack.”

The attack marks the Houthis’ second strike in as many days, with the Iran-backed militants resuming their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea after a near seven-month hiatus.

On Sunday, the Houthis attacked the 63,027 dwt bulker Magic Seas (IMO: 9736169), forcing the crew to abandon the vessel after it was hit by projectiles and began taking on water.

The latest confirmed report from naval assets nearby confirm that Magic Seas is sinking, but remains partially afloat.