In early July 2023, two incidents involving Filipino seafarers unfolded in the Red Sea due to attacks by Houthi rebels, resulting in significant loss and ongoing rescue efforts. On July 6 and 7, the Liberian-flagged cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C were targeted, marking one of the most severe maritime offenses in the region since the Houthis escalated attacks on international shipping.
On July 6, the MV Magic Seas, a Greek-owned ship with a crew of 22, including 17 Filipinos, was assaulted near the Yemeni coast. Houthi militants utilized grenades, missiles, and drone boats during this attack, which ultimately led to the sinking of the ship. Fortunately, all crew members managed to abandon the vessel and were later rescued by a nearby merchant ship.
The following day, the MV Eternity C, carrying 21 Filipino crew members and one Russian national, encountered a similar assault just five nautical miles away, resulting in its sinking as well. Despite sending distress calls, no allied naval vessels were available to assist, leaving the crew in dire circumstances.
By July 13, Philippine authorities reported that eight crew members from the Eternity C were successfully rescued and receiving medical care. However, search efforts were ongoing for others who remained missing, with at least two fatalities confirmed, though their nationalities were not publicly disclosed. Bernard Olalia, Undersecretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), stated that rescued crew members faced several hours at sea before being saved, with plans for their repatriation underway.
In light of these attacks, the DMW issued advisories to shipowners, urging them to avoid deploying Filipino crews on vessels navigating the Red Sea, which has become increasingly perilous. The assaults utilized advanced tactics such as drone boats and perimeter blockades, heightening maritime security concerns. Houthi officials claimed the attacks were aimed at ships linked to Israel in solidarity with Palestinian causes, although both targeted vessels had only historical or indirect ties to Israeli ports, raising fears for the safety of ships with even minimal connections to the region.
Maritime analysts characterized the July 6 and 7 attacks as a notable escalation in violence and strategic reach, labeling these incidents the worst maritime breaches in recent history. One analyst remarked, “This is the worst damage they inflicted in the space of 48 hours,” emphasizing the implications of such concentrated attacks.
Overall, these incidents reflect a troubling trend in regional maritime security and pose significant risks not just to Filipino seafarers but to international shipping operations navigating through the Red Sea.
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