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EU condemns Houthi attack on bulk carrier which seems to have sunk

On July 7, the European Union expressed its strong condemnation of the attack by Houthi terrorists on the 'Magic Seas', which was sailing near the Yemeni coast, warning of the serious implications for global trade, regional security, and the environment. The EU External Action Service "strongly" denounced this act by the Islamist group, noting that it "endangered the lives of the crew (...) and entailed the risk of a major ecological catastrophe in the region, as the vessel is currently adrift and at risk of sinking." It also noted that Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea "directly threaten regional peace and stability, world trade, and freedom of navigation as a global public good." Furthermore, they "may have a negative impact on the already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen," urging an immediate cessation of these attacks. On the other hand, Brussels has cited the United Nations Security Council's "repeated demands" for the rebels to immediately halt these actions. The European Union's Atalanta naval mission, tasked with combating piracy in the Indian Ocean, was responsible for the rescue of the 22 crew members of the 'Magic Seas'. Yahya Sari, the group's military spokesman, stated that the vessel in question "has completely sunk in the depths of the sea" after the attack, carried out "in response to the company's repeated violations of the ban on entry to occupied Palestinian ports." The ship, according to a video which now emerged, in fact seems to have sunk. The footage shows rising smoke, shattered glass, and water flooding the ship as crew members scramble for safety. The ship suffered severe damage from unmanned boats, missiles, and drones. Despite return fire from onboard guards, the ship began sinking soon after the assault. Reports with photos and video: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/international/dramatic-inside-video-chaos-aboard-ship-magic-seas-after-houthi-attack-red-sea-crisis/videoshow/122309321.cms https://www.firstpost.com/world/another-ship-attacked-in-red-sea-day-after-houthis-claimed-to-have-sunk-bulk-carrier-13904179.html

Houthi militants in Yemen claimied that the 'Magic Seas' sank

The Houthi militants in Yemen issued a statement claiming that the 'Magic Seas' sank on July 7 in the Red Sea, less than 24 hours after it was attacked. They provided details on a coordinated and prolonged attack on the vessel as they promised to continue the blockade of all shipping associated with Israel. There is no independent confirmation of the sinking of the 'Magic Seas', but the Houthis claim to have audio and video of the sinking, which has not yet been released. In the past, the group has also prematurely claimed sinking ships. The vessel was managed by Allseas Marine of Greece. EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta issued a statement confirming the details of the evacuation of the crew 51 nautical miles southwest of Hudaydah. It had coordinated the rescue of the 22 crew from the vessel. They abandon ship into a life raft and were picked up by the passing containership 'Safeen Prism'. It coordinated with the Djibouti Coast Guard to ensure the crew’s disembarkation. The 22 seafarers included one Romanian, one Vietnamese, and 20 Filipino nationals. The Houthis claimed to have used two unmanned boats, five ballistic missiles, and three drones in a coordinated and prolonged attack on the Magic Seas. The armed guards aboard the vessel reported gunshots and rocket-propelled grenades in the first assault and had returned fire. The guards were able to destroy two of the explosive-laden drone boats. Atalanta confirmed there was a fire aboard the vessel, while the company told the UK Maritime Trade Operations that the vessel was taking on water when the crew abandoned ship.

Ship ablaze after Houthi attack

On July 6, 2025, the Houthis rebels of Yemen launched their first attack on Red Sea shipping since Dec 2024, striking the 'Magic Seas', loaded with ron and fertilizers and bound from Zhuhai to Turkey, with drone boats, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and small arms fire. The ship was ablaze. It was transiting north in the Red Sea about 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodiedah when it was initially attacked by eight skiffs that opened fire with small arms and RPGs. Armed Security Team (AST) returned fire. The vessel was subsequently attacked by four Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). Two of the USVs impacted the port side of the vessel, damaging the vessel’s cargo. The remaining two USVs were intercepted and destroyed by the AST. The crew prepared to abandon the ship, which was taking on water, at 3.45 p.m. and was at risk of sinking. By 7:00 p.m. UTC, all 19 crew members had been safely rescued by a passing merchant vessel, and no injuries were reported. They arrived in Djibouti on July 7. No immediate group has yet claimed the attack; however, maritime security firms noted that the attack resembled that of Houthi militants.