The ten crew members who were rescued from the lost bulk carrier Eternity C have safely arrived at a port in Saudi Arabia, concluding a distressing week that began with the sinking of their vessel. Reports from maritime risk management firm Vanguard Tech indicated that six Filipino crew members were taken from the water and transported to Yemen by Houthi militants, who were responsible for the attack that led to the ship’s demise.
Tragically, at least four crew members are thought to have died from injuries sustained during the attack, with five others now classified as missing and presumed dead. Those unaccounted for include seven Filipinos, one Russian national, and one Indian security guard. The ship’s owner has since terminated the search for the missing crew members, as confirmed by the maritime security advisory group Diaplous.
In the wake of this incident, the UK government has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the crew members taken by Houthi forces, pointing out that they had no links to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has fueled the Houthis’ aggressive actions towards shipping.
In a statement, the Houthi communications center did confirm that “several” crew members were rescued and provided medical assistance before being brought to what they described as a “safe location.” However, they did not specify a timeframe for their eventual release.
This unfortunate incident sheds light on the increasing dangers in maritime operations in conflict zones, underscoring the growing challenges faced by seafarers globally. A hopeful perspective can be derived from the swift response that managed to save many lives despite the tragic losses, reinforcing the importance of international maritime security and humanitarian efforts in mitigating such crises in the future.
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