Crew of Greek ship hit yesterday off Yemen safe, but vessel may sink, operator says

The 19-member crew of a Greek bulk carrier severely damaged in the Red Sea by repeated attacks, most likely by the Iran-backed Houthis, is safe and will arrive in Djibouti today, the ship’s operator says.

However, the fate of the Liberian-flagged Magic Seas is unclear, with the vessel at risk of sinking, says Michael Bodouroglou, a representative of its operator Stem Shipping.

Yesterday’s assault off the southwest coast of Yemen was the first such incident reported in the vital shipping corridor since mid-April. In a raid lasting more than four hours, the Magic Seas was attacked by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades from skiffs, as well as by sea drones and missiles.

The ship was carrying iron and fertilizers from China to Turkey, and Stem Shipping received no warning of the attack, Bodouroglou tells Reuters.

“It struck us like lightning,” he says.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.