The search for survivors from two ships sunk by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has been called off, with four mariners presumed dead and 11 others unaccounted for, private security firms announced Monday. The attacks, part of the Houthis' ongoing campaign targeting vessels over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, have disrupted the vital Red Sea shipping route, through which $1 trillion in goods typically passes annually.

The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carriers Eternity C and Magic Seas were attacked on July 6 and 7, respectively. The Eternity C, carrying a three-man security team but no naval escort, endured hours of assaults involving small arms and bomb-laden drones before sinking. The Magic Seas faced a similar fate. Ten crew members, including eight Filipinos, one Greek, and one Indian, were rescued, according to the EU's Operation Aspides. The Houthis claimed to have captured some mariners, though no evidence has been provided, and the US Embassy in Yemen suggested possible kidnappings.

Ambrey and Diaplous Group, the security firms leading the search for Eternity C survivors, said the vessel’s owner made the difficult decision to prioritize the safe return and medical care of the 10 rescued individuals. “Our thoughts are with the families of those still missing,” their statement read.

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The sinkings have also sparked environmental concerns. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC, analyzed by The Associated Press, revealed oil slicks stretching 80 kilometers from the Eternity C and 65 kilometers from the Magic Seas. These slicks, originating from the ships’ fuel tanks, threaten coral reefs and wildlife reserves in Eritrea and beyond, according to PAX analyst Wim Zwijnenburg. While some oil may evaporate, the environmental damage could be significant.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have attacked over 100 ships with missiles and drones, sinking four and killing at least eight mariners. The group paused attacks during a brief ceasefire but resumed amid stalled Israel-Hamas peace talks and escalating tensions following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. With the Red Sea’s shipping and ecosystem under threat, the international community faces growing pressure to address the crisis.

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