The search for the eleven people who went missing last week following a Houthi attack on a ship in the Red Sea has been called off. The Eternity C bulk carrier was sunk by Yemeni Houthi rebels on Wednesday, following two days of attacks. At least four people were killed.
The Eternity C, which was sailing under a Liberian flag, came under sustained assault on 7 July. Despite having a three-person private security team on board, the ship did not request a naval escort from either the US Navy or the EU's Operation Aspides.
Security companies Ambrey and Diaplous Group rescued ten people from the sea after the attack, including eight Filipinos, one Indian and one Greek national. The fate of the remaining eleven crew members is unclear.
Meanwhile, satellite images show oil slicks in the southern Red Sea caused by the sinking of the two ships, according to the Associated Press. The oil slick released from the Eternity C is reported to be 80 kilometres long, while that from the Magic Seas is reported to be 65 kilometres long. This oil comes from the ships' reservoirs and was used for propulsion.
