Video appears to show damage on ship after Houthi attack

A new video being circulated online purports to show the Magic Seas bulk carrier in the moments after it was attacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels off of Yemen on Sunday, in an assault they claimed had sunk the vessel.

First video from inside the Magic Seas ship before it was sunk after being targeted by the Yemeni Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/93iZS7kaY4

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In the video, smoke can be seen rising from the deck and broken glass covers the floor of the bridge. A later scene shows water rushing into living quarters and several crew members wearing life preservers.

The United Arab Emirates said on Monday that it had successfully rescued all 22 people aboard the Magic Seas, after an AD Ports Group vessel, Safeen Prism, responded to a distress call in the Red Sea.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement that the vessel was targeted on Sunday after naval forces issued warnings and calls that were ignored by the ship’s crew. He said it was struck using two unmanned boats, five missiles and three drones.

According to advisories from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and British security firm Ambrey, which both monitor security incidents in the area, the vessel was first approached by eight small boats that opened fire and launched self-propelled grenades. Armed guards returned fire.

It was later struck by four remote-controlled boats, or Unmanned Surface Vehicles, and targeted with missiles, Ambrey said.

“Two of the USVs impacted the port side of the vessel, damaging the vessel’s cargo,” it said. UKMTO said the strikes triggered a fire onboard.

The Magic Seas was taking on water after the attack and remained at risk of sinking, the company’s representative, Michael Bodouroglou, said earlier. The ship had been carrying iron and fertilizer from China to Turkey.

The Houthis said they targeted it due to the fact that it had previously made port calls to Israel.