AT LEAST two people have died following a missile attack by Houthi rebels on a cargo ship off southern Yemen, US officials said.
It is the first fatal attack in a campaign launched by the Iran-aligned Yemeni group over the ongoing war in Gaza.
ReutersBarbados-flagged bulk carrier vessel True Confidence, in Ravenna, Italy in 2022[/caption]
Barbados-flagged freighter True Confidence was struck in the Gulf of Aden and survivors were forced to abandon the vessel in lifeboats, a US official confirmed.
Two crew members were killed and six wounded, with the extent of the damage to the ship currently unclear.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said today: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 54NM southwest of Aden, Yemen.
“A merchant vessel in position 115542N 0443024E has been hit and has suffered damage. The vessel has been abandoned by the crew and is no longer under command (NUC).”
It added that Coalition Forces were “supporting the vessel and the crew”.
A US warship and the Indian navy are on scene trying to assist in rescue efforts, The Independent reports.
Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed the attack in a pre-recorded message and said the rebels’ missile fire set the vessel ablaze.
He added that the group’s attacks would only stop when “siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted”.
A British cargo ship was sunk by the Houthis in the Red Sea at the weekend.