On October 6, Dutch shipping company Spliethoff announced the tragedy that one of the two seriously injured crew members from their vessel, Minervagracht, had succumbed to injuries in a Djibouti hospital. This individual had been evacuated following an attack on the ship that occurred on September 29. The French military had intervened, ensuring that the most critically injured crew member was transported directly for urgent medical care.
In their official statement, Spliethoff expressed deep condolences to the deceased seafarer’s family and confirmed ongoing support for them, although specific details about the individual and the nature of their injuries were not disclosed. The crew of the Minervagracht included members from various countries such as Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. After the attack, a total of 18 crew members were rescued by a Greek frigate and a French frigate, subsequently transported to Djibouti.
After the incident, Spliethoff reported that most of the crew members have been repatriated to their home countries, with one remaining crew member receiving medical attention in Djibouti; his condition is stable, and he is expected to return home in the coming days. The 10 Filipino crew members who were aboard the Minervagracht returned to the Philippines on October 4, as confirmed by the Department of Migrant Workers, though two others still remain in Djibouti.
The incident has left a lasting impact on Spliethoff, with the company expressing collective grief over the loss of a valued seafarer. They highlighted the emotional toll of the event on their staff and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the affected families.
This tragic event adds to the escalating death toll of seafarers from recent attacks in the region. Notably, four fatalities were reported in July 2025 related to the sinking of the bulker Eternity in the Red Sea, marking an alarming trend of violence against maritime personnel. In 2024, further incidents were reported, including a seafarer who went missing following an attack on another cargo vessel, Tutor.
In light of the recent attacks, Spliethoff confirmed their engagement with international authorities and towage experts to secure the Minervagracht, which had been abandoned after a missile strike caused a significant fire, damaging its accommodation block. UK maritime operation UKMTO has since flagged the vessel as a navigational hazard, underscoring the dangers faced by commercial shipping in this region.
This situation reflects broader concerns about maritime security and ongoing threats to shipping routes, highlighting the vulnerability of crews operating in increasingly perilous waters.
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