Yemen’s Houthi rebels believed to have sunk second ship in Red Sea after deadly attack

The Iranian-backed Yemen-based Houthi militants are believed to have sunk a second ship in the Red Sea named the Tutor after allegedly killing one sailor on board, said media reports citing officials, on Wednesday (Jun 19).

Tutor'believed to have sunk'

Last week, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned-and-operated, Tutor coal carrier was attacked and taking on water.

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“Military authorities report maritime debris and oil sighted in the (Tutor’s) last reported location,” said the UKMTO in a security update. It added, “The vessel is believed to have sunk.”

The attack and sinking of the bulk carrier marks what appears to be a new escalation by the Houthis who have been targeting shipping through the vital maritime corridor eversince the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas began in Gaza.

Deadly attack by militant group

The Tutor came under attack on June 12. The vessel, as per reports, was struck by missiles and an explosive-laden remote-controlled boat.

One of the crew members, who is believed to have been in the ship’s engine room at the time of the attack, remains missing, reported Reuters.

White House national security spokesman, John Kirby, on Monday (Jun 17) said that the attack killed “a crew member who hailed from the Philippines.” Manila has yet to confirm or acknowledge the reported death.

Houthis continue to attack in Red Sea

If confirmed,Tutor would be the second ship sunk by the Houthis,monthsafter their attacks led to the sinking of the UK-owned Rubymar. The ship went down on March 2, about two weeks after being targeted by missiles.

Also Read |Crew abandons cargo ship hit in missile attack by Houthi rebels: US military

Last week, the crew on board M/V Verbena, a Palauan-flagged ship, was forced to abandon the vessel after they were unable to contain a fire sparked due to a missile attack by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden.

The ship, which was reportedly loaded with wood construction material, had also sustained damage and is now drifting and vulnerable to sinking or further assaults.

Since the beginning of their campaign, which the Houthis claim is in support of the Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing war, the militant group has seized vessels and killed three sailors in separate attacks.

(With inputs from agencies)