All Crew Rescued After Houthi Attack on MV Magic Seas
In a dramatic maritime incident, all 22 crew members of the MV Magic Seas were successfully rescued following a fierce attack in the Southern Red Sea, approximately 51 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA confirmed the rescue today, marking a significant escalation in regional maritime threats.
Details of the Attack
The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier was targeted by multiple small vessels armed with various weapons, marking what appears to be the first Houthi assault in the Red Sea since December 2024. Reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicate that the ship’s armed security team engaged in a firefight during the initial attack. Michael Bodouroglou, a representative from the vessel’s operator, Stem Shipping, described the assault as “striking like lightning.”
At the time of the attack, the Magic Seas was transporting iron and fertilizers from China to Turkey. The assault lasted over four hours and involved gunfire, rocket-propelled grenades, sea drones, and missiles. The extensive damage resulted in onboard fires and flooding, ultimately forcing the crew to abandon ship. A nearby merchant vessel, in coordination with EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and UKMTO, executed a successful rescue operation, retrieving all crew members from lifeboats.
“Fortunately, we had no injuries,” Bodouroglou stated, adding that the crew would be taken to Djibouti. However, the fate of the Magic Seas remains uncertain, with concerns that it may sink due to the damage sustained during the attack.
Industry Response and Ongoing Risks
The attack has drawn strong condemnation from industry leaders. INTERCARGO Chairman John Xylas expressed outrage, stating, “Seafarers are not targets. We are deeply shocked by the attack on the Magic Seas and our thoughts are with the crew. These are innocent people, simply doing their jobs, keeping global trade moving. No one at sea should ever face such violence.”
Since October 2023, Houthi militants have increasingly targeted shipping in the Red Sea, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached between the U.S. and Houthi forces in May, it notably excluded Israel, which has recently conducted strikes on Houthi positions.
Bodouroglou noted that the Magic Seas had previously made a port call to Israel, but the latest transit was considered low-risk, as it had “nothing to do with Israel.” In light of the attack, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has urged all merchant vessels to register with the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean’s Voluntary Registration Scheme to enhance monitoring and response capabilities to maritime threats.
As the abandoned vessel remains unlit in the area, vessels transiting the southern Red Sea are advised to exercise extreme caution to ensure their safety.
