ALBAWABA - After sustaining damage in a strike by Yemeni Houthi, the crew of a ship owned by Greece has been evacuated, Reuters reports citing the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, with the vessel abandoned making its way across the Red Sea.
The coal carrier dubbed “Tutor” was hit on Wednesday by Yemeni Houthi during its route in the Red Sea, rendering the ship incapable of manoeuvring as a result of the substantial water and damage that occurred in the engine compartment.
On Friday, the Philippines announced that Filipino sailors were among the crew members on board. Xinhua reported that there were twenty Filipino people on the ship, with authorities saying that at least one crew member has not been accounted for yet.
The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated, according to China Daily, that “the Philippine government will take all necessary measures to secure the safety and well-being of the Filipino crew on board and ensure justice. We call on all UN member states to protect the human rights of seafarers.”
Since November, the Houthis have carried out hundreds of drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. They have said that they are acting in sympathy with Palestinians who are under bombardment amid the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
As reported by Reuters, a person with insight into the situation said that Tsavliris Salvage Group has been tasked with the responsibility of towing the ship, which is transporting 80,000 tons of coal. There will be two boats involved in the endeavor, with the first one anticipated to arrive at Tutor on Monday morning, while the second one to arrive on Tuesday evening.
