The Red Sea was painted red with blood again after the Houthi attack that cost the life of a sailor.
Another tragic event came to confirm that the situation remains dangerous in the Red Sea and the surrounding areas. Another innocent sailor lost his life unjustly and without being at fault for anything after the attack on his ship by the Houthi rebels.
The Dutch shipping company Spliethoff stated in an announcement that one of the two seriously injured crew members of the vessel Minervagracht died in a hospital in Djibouti.
The unfortunate sailor had been evacuated from the ship after the Houthi attack on September 29, with French forces reporting that the most seriously injured crew member was transported directly to Djibouti for medical care.
Spliethoff expressed its condolences to the sailor’s family and stated that it stands by her and offers her the necessary assistance. No additional details about the person were published other than that he suffered “serious injuries” during the attack.
Previous reports stated that the crew consisted of people from Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. After being rescued by a French and the Greek frigate HS Spetsai, the remaining 18 crew members were transported to Djibouti.
According to Spliethoff, the majority of the Minervagracht’s crew has now been repatriated. One crew member remains under medical observation in Djibouti. His condition is reported to be stable and the company expects he will be able to return to his homeland within the week.
The 10 Filipino sailors who were aboard the Minervagracht arrived in the Philippines on October 4. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported their return, while two others were still in Djibouti.
“The events of the past week have left a deep impact on everyone at Spliethoff. Today’s news has plunged everyone in the company into grief, as we mourn the loss of a respected and valuable sailor,” the company wrote referring to the death.
This death adds to the four confirmed deaths of crew members of the Eternity C, which sank in the Red Sea in July 2025 after being attacked by Houthi rebels.
The first deaths from the Houthi rebel attacks occurred in 2024, with one sailor reported missing after an attack on another cargo ship, the Tutor. Several more sailors have been injured during the attacks.
Spliethoff reported last week that it is cooperating with international authorities and towing companies for the protection and safety of the vessel.
The ship was abandoned on September 29, following the missile attack, which caused a fire, destroying a large part of the crew’s accommodation area. The United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) monitoring operation has declared it a hazard to navigation.
The situation has not only not de-escalated but continues to become even more dangerous for sailors and ships.
As a man of the sea, I have often mentioned that unfortunately, the sailor is a pawn in the upheavals happening in the world, and is the last one to blame.
All shipping companies should stop sending ships to these areas, risking primarily the lives of sailors, but also their ships.
