UK maritime agency says the Magic Seas is taking on water after being targeted with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Published On 6 Jul 2025
Crew members onboard a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned ship that was set ablaze in an attack in the Red Sea have abandoned the vessel and were rescued, according to a British maritime agency.
The attack, which took place some 94km (51 nautical miles) southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah on Sunday, was the first such incident in the vital shipping corridor since April.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the bulk carrier Magic Seas was first “engaged by multiple small vessels” that “opened fire with small arms and self-propelled grenades”.
The attack set the ship ablaze and caused it to take on water, it said.
All of the crew abandoned the ship and were rescued by a passing merchant vessel, UKMTO said, adding that “all crew are well and safe”.
UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 026-25 – ATTACK – Update 004https://t.co/3X6lw7fTRy#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/JqTX62wXoy
— UKMTO Ops Centre (@UK_MTO) July 6, 2025
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Ambrey, a private British maritime security firm, said in a separate advisory that the ship was attacked by four unmanned surface vehicles [USVs].
“Two of the USVs impacted the port side of the vessel, damaging the vessel’s cargo,” Ambrey added.
While no one has claimed responsibility, Ambrey said the attack matched the “established Houthi target profile“.
The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, began targeting vessels in the Red Sea shortly after Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, in a campaign the rebel