Indian Navy Rescues Crew After Deadly Houthi Attack in Red Sea, 2 Filipino, 1 Vietnamese Seafarers Killed

 A Houthi missile attack on a commercial ship in the Red Sea tragically claimed the lives of three crew members on Wednesday. Thankfully, the Indian Navy stepped in on Thursday, rescuing all 20 remaining crew from the burning vessel.

 

Filipino Sailors Among the Dead

The attack targeted the Barbadian-flagged, Greek-operated "True Confidence" about 50 nautical miles off Yemen's port of Aden. Sadly, two of the deceased sailors were Filipino nationals, with the third being Vietnamese. The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs vowed to assist the victims and their families.

 

An aerial view of the Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze following a Houthi missile attack at sea, March 6, 2024, in this handout photo. DVIDS/ Handout via REUTERS

Rescue and Recovery Efforts

The Indian Navy deployed a warship to evacuate the survivors and injured crew. Dramatic images showed a helicopter rescuing crew members from a life raft in rough seas. The survivors, including two wounded Filipinos, were transported to a hospital in Djibouti. Recovery efforts are underway to retrieve the remains of the deceased sailors.

 

Heightened Tensions and Calls for Protection

This attack marks the first civilian casualties in the Houthis' ongoing campaign against Red Sea shipping. This key shipping lane has seen a surge in attacks since November, allegedly in support of Palestinians during the Israel-Gaza conflict. Global shipping associations condemned the violence and urged action to protect seafarers.

 

Impact on Global Trade

The Houthi attacks have disrupted global trade, forcing some shipping companies to consider the longer, but safer, route around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. This adds significant time and cost to journeys. Additionally, the cost of insuring ships traveling through the Red Sea has skyrocketed.

 

Details of the Attacked Vessel

The "True Confidence" was carrying steel products and trucks from China to Saudi Arabian ports. It's important to note that despite initial concerns, there is no current US connection to the vessel's ownership or operation.