Houthi rebels from Yemen have released propaganda footage that appears to show the Greek-flagged bulk carrier M/V Magic Seas being sunk in the Red Sea, following an attack on July 6.
+ Click here to watch the video
The video, widely shared on social media, shows fighters calling the ship via VHF radio before attacking, boarding it, and later detonating explosives planted on the hull.
According to Michael Bodouroglou, owner of Stem Shipping — the company responsible for the vessel — the ship was transporting iron and fertilizers from China to Turkey at the time of the attack. The shipowner stated that the assault lasted about four hours and involved “gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades from boats, as well as drones and anti-ship missiles.”
+ Mammoth Freighters prepares to deliver the first converted Boeing 777-300ER freighter
So far, the sinking of the Magic Seas has not been independently confirmed, and Stem Shipping representatives say they have been unable to verify the current status of the vessel.
The footage released by the Houthis recalls a previous attack on the tanker M/T Sounion, in which explosives were detonated on the deck, causing a fire. In that case, the vessel was saved after weeks of a salvage operation coordinated by European Union naval forces.
+ Next-Generation Submarine Technology: Discover the Scorpène Class
The attack on the Magic Seas marks the first assault on a merchant vessel in the southern Red Sea since December 2024.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, all 22 crew members on board were successfully rescued by another merchant ship passing through the area. The rescue operation was coordinated by the EU naval mission EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and UK Maritime Trade Operations. All crew members disembarked safely in Djibouti.
Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare’e claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the target was chosen for “violating the ban on entry to the ports of occupied Palestine.” However, Bodouroglou clarified that although the Magic Seas had previously docked at an Israeli port, this voyage “had no connection with Israel.”
Source and images: Captain | X @clashreport. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
