LONDON – Five seafarers have been rescued after a cargo ship was attacked and sunk off Yemen, maritime monitors said yesterday, as a search continues for the remaining crew.

The MV Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, was badly damaged in an attack in the Red Sea that started on Monday and continued into Tuesday.

Yemen’s Huthi rebels have not claimed responsibility for the incident, which comes after they attacked and sunk another cargo ship whose crew were rescued.

“Search and rescue operations commenced overnight,” said the British navy’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

“Five crew members have been rescued and searches continue for those remaining,” it added.

UK-based security firm Ambrey told AFP the Eternity C vessel had sunk off the port city Hodeida, which is controlled by the Iran-backed Huthis.

On Tuesday, Operation Aspides, the European Union military force deployed in the Red Sea in response to the Huthis’ attacks, told AFP that three people had been killed.

It also reported “at least two injured, including a Russian electrician who lost a leg”.

Philippines authorities said there were 22 crew on the Eternity C, all but one of them Filipinos. Nampa/AFP