Houthis sink ship in Red Sea, 11 mariners missing

In Yemen, the Houthis, an Iranian-backed rebel group, sank the bulk carrier Eternity C in the Red Sea on July 7, 2025, as part of their campaign targeting vessels amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Over a week has passed since the incident, and the search for missing mariners has now concluded, with at least four presumed dead and 11 more unaccounted for. Satellite images show extensive oil slicks in the area, leading to environmental concerns for marine life in the Red Sea, which is known for its coral reefs and diverse wildlife. The attack on the Eternity C followed a similar strike on another vessel, the Magic Seas, which occurred just a day prior. The escalation of assaults by the Houthis has significantly disrupted international shipping routes in the Red Sea, through which an estimated $1 trillion of goods pass annually. Private security firms Ambrey and Diaplous Group conducted the search operations for the missing crew, recovering ten individuals alive — eight of whom were Filipino crew members along with a Greek and an Indian member of the security team. Many of the mariners are still missing, prompting urgent concerns for their safety among families and authorities. These maritime attacks mark an intensified phase in the Houthis' tactics, which are aimed at vessels perceived as linked to Israel and its allies. The Houthis claimed to have captured some of the mariners following the sinking but provided no evidence to substantiate their claims. This trend of maritime warfare by the Houthis has resulted in the sinking of four vessels since November 2023 and resulted in the deaths of at least eight mariners. As the search efforts came to an end, the focus shifted to providing medical support for the rescued survivors. The decision was deemed necessary as prolonged search operations faced practical challenges, and the priority was to ensure the safe recovery and support of those who survived. Environmental analysts now warn that the oil slicks emanating from the wrecked vessels could pose threats to marine ecosystems, particularly in nearby regions such as Eritrea. The continuing military actions by the Houthis have drawn international attention and concern regarding safety and ecological impacts in the Red Sea and the broader geopolitical ramifications of their actions in the ongoing conflict.