Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — Rescuers plucked four seafarers from the Red Sea after they survived more than 48 hours adrift following the sinking of the Greek vessel, Eternity C. This incident unfolded in the wake of an attack by Houthi militants, which resulted in the deaths of at least four crew members.

The latest rescue pushed the total number of survivors to ten, comprising eight Filipino crew members, one Indian security officer, and a Greek guard. The unfolding situation reveals a grim toll from the violent assault, with three Filipinos and a Russian among the deceased from the crew of 25. Eleven individuals remain unaccounted for, and maritime security sources indicate that a number of them may have been taken hostage by the Houthis.

Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence at the UK-based maritime risk management firm Vanguard Tech, expressed profound concern over the welfare of those in captivity. “Their safety and swift release must be a priority for all involved,” she stated.

The attack on the Eternity C marked the second such incident involving Houthis in just a week, disrupting a truce established in May aimed at curbing assaults on maritime vessels. Just days earlier, the same group had sunk another Greek-owned ship, Magic Seas, although all crew aboard that vessel were rescued.

Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy to Yemen, condemned the escalating violence in the region. “We are witnessing a troubling escalation in the Red Sea,” he remarked, noting the civilian casualties and potential environmental impacts resulting from these hostilities.

In a rapid series of assaults, Houthi forces launched attacks on the Eternity C using bombs, drones, and rocket-propelled grenades. Footage that surfaced from the conflict depicted a missile being fired while chants calling for violence against Israel echoed in the background, supplemented by billowing smoke from the burning ship. The vessel was further attacked during the night, prompting the crew to leap into the sea as Houthi skiffs closed in.

Following the attacks, a Houthi military spokesperson claimed that their forces had rescued members of the crew and transported them to safety. Yet, observers recall previous instances in which the Houthis held crews hostage for extended periods, such as the Galaxy Leader incident where crew members were detained for over a year.

Houthi leaders maintain that their assaults are a form of solidarity with Palestinians, aimed at exerting pressure on Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where tens of thousands have perished. Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the militia leader, reiterated that no shipping operations linked to Israel would be permitted in key maritime zones.

In the backdrop of these maritime attacks, the Houthi militia has escalated its aggressive stance by targeting Israeli assets, although most of their ballistic missiles have been intercepted. Early Thursday, they reportedly attempted to hit Ben Gurion Airport in Israel with a missile, which the Israeli military successfully thwarted.

The Houthis had issued warnings regarding potential repercussions for vessels deemed linked to Israel following the U.S.’s military actions against Iran in late June. Following these events, numerous ships have opted to avoid any association with Israeli interests, resulting in altered shipping routes and heightened anxiety among maritime traders.

The Red Sea remains a crucial corridor for global shipping, responsible for transporting roughly a third of the world’s container traffic. However, shipping activity has significantly dwindled since late 2023 due to ongoing Houthi threats, causing apprehension in the commercial sector. As the situation continues to unfold, the implications of these attacks are far-reaching, shaking confidence across international shipping lanes.