Bulk Carrier Takes On Water After Being Struck By 3 Houthi Missiles In Red Sea

The Marshall Islands-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Laax was attacked twice by missiles on Tuesday in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen.

The vessel, handled by Grehel Ship Management in Piraeus, Greece, first reported damage near the port city of Hodeida in the southern Red Sea, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre confirmed that the vessel was initially struck, reporting an “impact in the water near the vessel.”

Following the first strike, the ship reported taking in water due to damage to its cargo hold.

Later, it was damaged again in a second missile attack near Mokha in the Bab el-Mandeb.

Despite the attacks, the crew remained safe, and the vessel proceeded to its next stop in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.

The private security agency Ambrey stated that radio communications from the Laax showed that the vessel had received significant damage and was taking on water.

A distress call sent earlier in the day reported damage approximately 54 nautical miles southwest of Hodeida.

Later reports confirmed that additional damage occurred 33 nautical miles northwest of Al Mukha.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have come under suspicion.

The Houthis, who are known for frequent attacks on trade in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, have demanded that Israel cease its war on Hamas in Gaza.

The US military’s Central Command confirmed the incident and said that five Houthi drones were destroyed over the Red Sea during the attacks.

Since November, the Houthis have launched over 50 strikes on shipping, capturing one vessel and sinking another.

These attacks have severely affected global trade routes, forcing ships to avoid the Suez Canal and reroute around Africa.

Yemen has been in chaos since the Houthis took the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015.

Despite attempts to broker a peace agreement, the continued conflict has resulted in an extended stalemate.

Grehel Ship Management, Laax’s Greece-based operator, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, the prime minister of Yemen’s exiled government, addressing in Dubai, asked the international community to understand the broader consequences of the Houthis’ actions beyond their claimed support for Palestinians.

Reference: Reuters, ABC news

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