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Houthis Free 11 Crew From Sunken Bulk Carrier Eternity C; Repatriation Underway

Oman says 11 crew members of the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C have been released by Houthi rebels and flown to Muscat. The freed seafarers—Filipino and Indian nationals—were transported from Sana'a on a Royal Omani Air Force aircraft and will be repatriated to their home countries. The Eternity C was attacked and sank in July during the Houthis' Red Sea blockade; four crew members were killed and five were rescued. The Philippines is coordinating the return of its nationals and has thanked Oman for its assistance.

07:42 PM, 12/04/2025Conflict
Houthis Free 11 Crew From Sunken Bulk Carrier Eternity C; Repatriation Underway

Houthis Release 11 Crew Members From Sunken Vessel Eternity C

Oman announced Wednesday that 11 seafarers from the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C have been released by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels and flown to Muscat. The freed crew—Filipino and Indian nationals—were transported from Sana'a aboard a Royal Omani Air Force aircraft and are expected to be repatriated to their home countries shortly, the Omani Foreign Ministry said.

The Eternity C was attacked while attempting to transit the Red Sea in early July. According to reports, the vessel was struck by multiple rocket-propelled grenades on July 7 and was later surrounded by smaller Houthi boats; it subsequently sank and its crew were taken captive. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported continuous attacks on the vessel into July 8.

Search-and-rescue operations overnight recovered five crew members, but four sailors were killed in the assault. The Philippines’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Omani authorities notified it that nine Filipino sailors from the Eternity C would be among those released. The Philippine Embassy in Muscat and the Migrant Workers Office—Muscat are coordinating the safe and immediate return of their nationals and expressed appreciation to the Sultanate of Oman.

The attack occurred amid a Houthi-declared military blockade of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, announced in November 2023 after the outbreak of hostilities between Hamas and Israel; the Houthis said the blockade was an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Next Steps: The released seafarers are in Muscat for processing and medical checks before being flown back to their home countries. Governments involved are coordinating repatriation and consular support.

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