At least three seafarers are feared dead after a cargo ship manned by 21 Filipinos and a Russian was attacked and sunk by suspected Houthi “terrorists” aboard speedboats off Yemen from Monday to Tuesday.
Five seafarers of the MV Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, have been rescued by the British navy while search and rescue continues for other crewmembers who are reportedly in the water, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday.
United Kingdom-based security firm Ambrey told AFP the Eternity C vessel had sunk off the port city Hodeida, which is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis.
On Tuesday, Operation Aspides, the European Union military force deployed in the Red Sea in response to the Houthis’ attacks, told AFP that three people had been killed.
It also reported “at least two injured, including a Russian electrician who lost a leg.”
Houthi rebels have not claimed responsibility for the incident, which comes after they attacked and sunk another cargo ship whose crew were rescued.
The Greek shipping firm Cosmoship Management, which operates the ship, have not confirmed the fatalities.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) canceled a scheduled briefing in Manila regarding the incident and has yet to release official information.
Likewise, the Department of Foreign Affairs is yet to respond to queries.
Just hours before the incident, Houthis claimed responsibility for another attack—this time on the Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated MV Magic Seas — which reportedly sank off southwest Yemen on Sunday.
Last February 2024, then DMW officer-in-charge and now Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac released Department Order No. 1 directing licensed manning agencies and their accredited principals to consider avoiding passage through the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and nearby territories.
The LMAs and foreign employers should also provide the mandated additional compensation and security measures for Filipino seafarers who have agreed to continue their journey in warzone areas.
Further, seafarers should also be given ample time, opportunity, and means to signify their intent to either continue with the voyage or refuse to join the ship in its scheduled passage in these areas.
The LMAs are tasked to properly implement the decision of seafarers invoking their right to refuse sailing in such high-risk areas.
Should the Filipino crew decide to invoke their right, the manning agencies must ensure their immediate and safe repatriation back to the Philippines.