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The crew of a Greek ship damaged in an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has been evacuated and the derelict vessel is floating in the Red Sea, according to the UK Maritime Merchant Operations (UKMTO).
One crew member of the Liberian-flagged coal carrier Tutor remains missing, officials in the Philippines said, after an attack near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah on Wednesday caused severe flooding and damage to the engine room, leaving the ship unable to maneuver.
Those attached to Iran huti claimed responsibility for the missile strike against the Tutor and another Verbena ship in the Gulf of Aden in recent days. Their attacks also damaged two other ships in the past week, “marking a significant increase in effectiveness,” British security firm Ambrey said.
The Houthis have used drones and missiles to target ships in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab strait and the Gulf of Aden since November, in what they say is solidarity with the Palestinians in the war in Gaza. They have sunk one ship, captured another ship and killed three sailors in separate attacks.
“This situation cannot continue,” International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement.
The Tutor’s 22 crew members are mostly Filipino, Philippine Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Kakdak told a news conference in Manila.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the country’s authorities were coordinating with the UKMTO to get the crew members to Djibouti and bring them home.
The missing crew member is believed to be trapped in the engine room, marine sources said.
“We are still…trying to explain the particular sailor in this ship,” Cacdac said. “We pray we can find him.”
The ship’s Athens-based manager, Evalend Shipping, did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Tsavliris Salvage Group has been tasked with towing the vessel, which is carrying 80,000 tonnes of coal, a source familiar with the matter told the news agency. The project will include two ships. The first was expected to reach Tutor on Monday morning and the second on Tuesday evening.
The Houthis’ air and sea campaign has disrupted global shipping, causing a cascade of delays and costs in supply chains. At least 65 countries and major energy and shipping companies – including Shell, BP, Maersk and Cosco – were affected, according to a US intelligence report.
Among the most notable attacks, the Houthis stormed and hijacked a Galaxy Leader vehicle in Novemberlater opening it as a tourist attraction for propaganda purposes.
In March, the bulk carrier Rubymar, carrying thousands of tons of fertilizer, sank in the Red Sea after its hull was damaged by a Houthi missile strike.
Intercargo, which represents dry cargo shipowners, called on countries to improve maritime security in the region.
“We urge all parties involved to end their deliberate and targeted attacks against innocent seafarers with immediate effect,” it said.
Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
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