Greek-owned ship sinking after armed attack aff Yemen

According to the official statement from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the vessel was surrounded by small speedboats that opened fire with light weapons and launched grenades. The ship’s armed security team returned fire.

Specifically, according to available information, the commercial vessel was attacked by eight armed speedboats, which launched at least twenty RPG-type anti-tank rockets, as well as four unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The ship’s security team managed to intercept two of the four USVs, while the other two struck the vessel.

Additionally, the ship was targeted by three anti-ship missiles. Two of them hit the vessel, while the third missed. As a result of the attacks, the MV MAGIC SEAS began taking on water and is now sinking.

So far, no injuries or fatalities have been reported among the crew. The 22 crew members (17 Filipino nationals, 1 Romanian, 1 Vietnamese, and 3 Sri Lankan members of the security team) are being rescued by Yemeni Coast Guard forces.

It is noted that the ship had not requested escort or protection from the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation. At the time of the incident, no warship from the operation was in close proximity to the merchant vessel.

The Red Sea region and the surrounding maritime routes near Yemen remain high-risk zones, as attacks on commercial vessels continue amid geopolitical instability and the activity of armed groups.

This attack by the Houthis on the MV MAGIC SEAS is the first against a commercial ship in the Red Sea since November 2024.