A crew member of the Dutch cargo ship that was attacked by Houthis in the Gulf of Aden last week has died of his injuries, the vessel’s Amsterdam-based operator Spliethoff said in a statement Monday evening.
The company did not release further details about the deceased crew member, but a spokesperson told a Dutch broadcaster they were Filipino.
The vessel, Minervagracht, was in international waters in the Gulf of Aden when it was struck by an explosive device that inflicted substantial damage and started a fire on the ship. A helicopter was used to rescue 19 of its crew, who are Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino and Sri Lankan.
Yemen’s Houthis clamed responsibility for the attack. The Iran-aligned group has launched numerous assaults on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, targeting ships they deem linked with Israel in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war on Gaza.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez expressed his sorrow, calling for an end to assaults on international shipping and urging dialogue to resolve tensions.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a crew member of the MV Minervagracht, as a result of injuries sustained during an attack on the vessel in the Gulf of Aden on 29 September 2025,” he said.
“My thoughts, along with those of the Secretariat and of the entire membership of the IMO, are with the family of the crew member. I strongly condemn any type of attack against international shipping, regardless of its motivation or cause.
“These deplorable attacks in the Red Sea violate international law and freedom of navigation. Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause.
“Constructive dialogue is the solution to resolving ongoing geopolitical crises affecting seafarers and international shipping.”
Spliethoff added that one other crew member remained under medical care in Djibouti.
“His condition is stable, and we expect he will be able to return home later this week.”
(Reuters and staff)
