Houthi attack sinks cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea; rescue mission underway
Houthi rebels attacked the Liberian‑flagged, Greek‑operated bulk carrier Eternity C off Yemen’s Red Sea coast on 7 July, using drone boats, missile‑armed drones and RPGs. The ship sank early on 9 July. The vessel was en route to the Suez Canal and had recently docked in Israel. Four crew members (three Filipino and one Russian) were killed, six rescued, and 14 remain missing, with the U.S. accusing Houthis of kidnapping survivors. This is the second ship sunk by Houthis in a week, following the Magic Seas; more than 100 ships have been attacked since November 2023 as part of their campaign against Israeli‑linked shipping. War‑risk insurance premiums for Red Sea passage have surged as a result.
Reactions:
- U.S. Embassy in Yemen: “The immediate release of survivors seized by the Houthis is demanded.” (The Washington Post)
- EU Naval Force Aspides: > “Six seafarers were rescued; the search for missing crew continues.” (Reuters)
- IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez: > “These attacks threaten freedom of navigation and violate international law.” (Reuters)
Media Bias & Framing:
- Reuters/AP/Al Jazeera/The Guardian provide crisis facts, casualties, rescue status, attack methods, and geopolitical context, without sensationalism.
- Financial Times connects shipping disruptions with soaring insurance premiums and mounting global trade risks. (Financial Times)
- Local/regional outlets frame the attacks as part of a Houthi campaign supporting Palestinians, risking escalation with Israel and drawing naval responses from the U.S. coalition. (Associated Press News)
📊 Sentiment: Strongly negative. The attack marks a serious escalation in maritime conflict, endangers seafarers’ lives, and threatens a vital global trade route. The incident is prompting urgent calls for enhanced naval security and accountability.
