Crew members of a Yemeni commercial ship who survived a deadly attack by Houthi rebels earlier this week said a second missile struck the vessel just as rescue efforts from the initial strike were underway, causing even more chaos and casualties. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
In all, three ballistic missiles fired by the Iran-backed Houthis struck the ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, just off Yemen's coast, as it was coming into port, killing six people and injuring at least nine others, according to Yemeni authorities.
It was part of an escalating campaign by the Houthis and their first deadly attack this year on a vessel navigating the strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and accounts for roughly 12% of global trade.
One crew member, Indonesian sailor Muhammad Al Taindo, is receiving treatment at 2 December Hospital. He said that after the first missile strike, the crew began rescue operations, but when the second missile hit, people screamed and started running.
Pakistani sailor Zaheer Ahmed is also in the hospital. He said that during the second missile strike, people on the ship rushed to lifeboats, but several fell into the water.
Another Pakistani sailor, Muhammad Hamza, is also hospitalized. He said that after the third missile strike, the ship caught fire and began to sink, but the crew managed to escape on lifeboats.
Doctors at 2 December Hospital in the Yemeni city of Mokha are providing medical treatment to the injured sailors. Their condition is stable, but some have serious injuries.
The Houthis have intensified attacks on ships in the strait, and this is their first deadly attack this year. The strait is a vital sea route accounting for about 12% of global trade.
Yemeni authorities condemned the attack and called on the international community to stop the Houthis' actions. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.