After months of uncertainty, ten crew members of the cargo ship Eternity C—including nine Filipinos—have finally been released and flown to Oman, marking a dramatic end to a harrowing chapter of detention by Houthis and renewed hope for their families.
Background: What Happened to Eternity C
The Eternity C—a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier—was struck in the southern Red Sea on 7–8 July 2025 by Houthi militants using drones, rocket-propelled grenades, and explosive-laden boats.
The attack forced the crew and guards to abandon ship. The vessel was badly damaged and eventually sunk, and only part of the crew was initially rescued from the water.
Among the original crew were Filipinos, a Russian national, and other foreign seafarers.
Months of Detention and Diplomacy
Following the attack and sinking, several crew members were detained by the Houthis. International outcry—including from the United States Mission in Yemen—condemned the detentions as “kidnappings” and called for their immediate release.
Over recent months, diplomatic pressure mounted. The government of Muscat, Oman, played a key mediating role along with the government of the Philippines, which had officially sought the freedom of its nationals.
Release and Safe Arrival in Oman
On December 3, 2025, rebel-controlled media confirmed that the ten crew members had been handed over to Oman. Afterwards, they were flown from Sana’a (Yemen’s rebel-held capital) to Muscat aboard an Omani aircraft.
Footage broadcast by Oman TV showed the crew arriving in Muscat, where they were greeted by Omani and Philippine officials.
The released crew includes nine Filipino seafarers, one Russian, and one Indian national—the latter group part of the broader crew roster of the vessel.
Significance & Broader Implications
The release underscores the critical role of diplomatic and humanitarian mediation—here via Oman—in resolving detentions tied to maritime conflict. It also brings relief to the seafarers’ families and shines a spotlight on the dangers faced by merchant-ship crews amid heightened regional tensions.
The sinking of Eternity C was among multiple attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea since 2023 by the Houthis—part of their campaign against maritime traffic, which they say is in solidarity with Palestinians.
With the crew now released, there is cautious optimism that their safe return may help ease diplomatic tensions and prompt renewed international efforts to safeguard maritime routes in the region.
