Efforts are underway to find missing crew members after Houthi rebels sank a second cargo ship in the Red Sea in less than a week. The Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated Eternity C was attacked on Monday and later sank, according to the EU’s Red Sea naval mission, Operation Aspides.

The ship, which had 25 crew members aboard, was severely damaged after being hit by rocket-propelled grenades launched from small boats. The attack left the vessel without propulsion, and the situation worsened when the assault continued into Tuesday.

Ten crew members have been rescued so far, but at least three are confirmed dead, with others still unaccounted for. Among the rescued are citizens of the Philippines and Greece, while a severely injured Russian crew member reportedly lost a leg. Authorities in the Philippines confirmed that 21 of the crew were Filipino nationals.

The Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility, stating the vessel was targeted because it was en route to Israel. They claimed to have taken some crew members to a “safe location.” However, the U.S. Embassy in Yemen described the situation as a kidnapping and demanded the immediate release of all survivors.

Footage released by the Houthis shows the Eternity C sinking after explosions rocked the ship. Maritime security firm Diaplous, which released rescue footage, confirmed some survivors had spent over 24 hours in the water. “We will continue to search for the remaining crew until the last light,” the firm said.

This marks the second vessel sunk by the Houthis in one week. On Sunday, they launched missiles and drones at the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship. All 22 crew members on board were rescued safely, but the vessel was destroyed after a series of onboard explosions initiated by armed militants.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted about 70 commercial vessels using drones, missiles, and small boats in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. So far, four ships have been sunk, one has been seized, and at least seven crew members have been killed.

The Houthis claim their attacks support Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Although they say they are only targeting vessels linked to Israel, the U.S., and the U.K., their claims are often unsubstantiated.

The U.S. State Department condemned the recent attacks, calling them a serious threat to international shipping and regional stability. “We will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation,” a spokesperson said.

In a related development, Israel’s military reported intercepting a missile fired from Yemen on Thursday. No further details were provided.

Despite a ceasefire agreement between the Houthis and the U.S. in May, which followed weeks of U.S. strikes on Houthi positions, attacks on Israeli-linked vessels have continued. The Houthis insist these operations fall outside the ceasefire’s scope.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), condemned the renewed violence, calling it a violation of international law. “Innocent seafarers and local communities are suffering the consequences, including from environmental damage,” he said, urging greater diplomatic engagement.

The recent escalation underscores the ongoing volatility in the Red Sea and the growing threats to global shipping lanes.