Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed on Monday that its drones, missiles and fast boats sank the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas a day earlier off southwest Yemen, the first reported strike on commercial shipping in the corridor since mid-April.
The Greek-managed vessel was hit by multiple projectiles and four uncrewed surface craft after eight skiffs opened fire, forcing the 19 seafarers and three armed guards to abandon ship, industry sources said. They were rescued by a passing vessel and landed safely in Djibouti.
Stem Shipping, one of the ship’s commercial managers, said fires had broken out in the bow and flooding disabled the engine room and two holds, leaving the vessel powerless, but added there was no independent confirmation it had actually sunk.
EU naval mission Operation Aspides warned other ships to keep clear of the stricken carrier, citing a risk of explosion.
The Houthis have targeted merchant traffic since October 2023 in what they call support for Palestinians during Israel’s war in Gaza. Israel struck Houthi sites on Monday for the first time in nearly a month; a May U.S.–Houthi cease-fire did not include Israel.
The Magic Seas, carrying iron and fertiliser from China to Turkey, had no apparent links to Israel, Stem Shipping said. Maritime-risk firm Vanguard Tech noted, however, that vessels managed by the ship’s co-manager, Allseas Marine, had called at Israeli ports in the past year, making the carrier a potential Houthi target.
“Seafarers are innocent people keeping global trade moving. No one at sea should face such violence,” said John Xylas, chair of the dry-bulk owners’ group Intercargo.
