A Houthi missile attack has killed three seafarers on a Red Sea merchant ship, US Central Command (Centcom) has said, the first fatalities reported since the Iran-aligned Yemeni group began strikes against shipping in one of the world's busiest trade lanes.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, which set the Greek-owned, Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence ablaze around 50 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen's port of Aden.
A US State Department spokesman vowed to hold the Houthi rebels accountable for the strike.
"We will continue to hold them accountable. We call on governments around the world to do the same," Matthew Miller told reporters.
The Houthi ship strikes "have not just disrupted international commerce, not just disrupted the freedom of navigation in international waters, and not just endangered seafarers, but now tragically killed a number of them," Mr Miller said.
Asked if the latest attack showed a failure of the US and UK strikes on the Houthis, Mr Miller said: "We have always made clear that this is going to be a long-term process, both to deter the Houthi attacks and to degrade their capabilities to carry them out."
He said that the United States was also encouraging other countries to make clear to the Houthis that "these attacks are irresponsible."
The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since November in what they claim is a campaign in solidarity with Palestinians during the war in Gaza.
The UK and the US have been launching retaliatory strikes against the Houthis, and confirmation of fatalities could lead to pressure for stronger military action.
Centcom said the Houthi strike also injured at least four crew members and caused "significant damage" to the ship.
Earlier, a shipping source said four mariners had been severely burned and three were missing after a missile hit the ship.
The Greek operators of the True Confidence said the vessel was struck about 50 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Aden and was drifting and ablaze.
They said no information was available about the status of 20 crew and three armed guards on board, who included 15 Filipinos, four Vietnamese, two Sri Lankans, an Indian and a Nepali national.
A US defence official said smoke was seen coming from the True Confidence. The official, who also declined to be identified, told Reuters a lifeboat had been seen in the water near the ship.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said it had received a report of an incident 54 nautical miles southwest of Aden, which lies near the entrance to the Red Sea, adding that the vessel had been abandoned by the crew and was "no longer under command".
"Coalition forces are supporting the vessel and the crew," UKMTO said.
UK Foreign Minister David Cameron said he was appalled by the deaths of two seafarers.
"Appalled to hear about the deaths of MV True Confidence international crew members in a Houthi attack in the Red Sea. Our thoughts are with their families," Mr Cameron said in a post on X.
"We condemn the Houthis' reckless & indiscriminate attacks on global shipping & demand they stop. We will continue to stand up for freedom of navigation and back our words with actions."
Appalled to hear about the deaths of MV True Confidence international crew members in a Houthi attack in the Red Sea. Our thoughts are with their families.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 6, 2024
We condemn the Houthis' reckless & indiscriminate attacks on global shipping & demand they stop. We will continue to stand…
Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), the leading seafarers union, called for urgent action to protect its members.
"We have consistently warned the international community and the maritime industry about the escalating risks faced by seafarers in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. Today ... we see those warnings tragically confirmed," Mr Cotton said.
Houthi militants in Yemen have repeatedly launched drones and missiles against international commercial shipping since mid-November, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians to oppose Israel's military actions in Gaza.
A number of ships have been damaged in such strikes.
Four days ago, the Rubymar, a UK-owned bulk carrier, became the first ship to sink as a result of a Houthi attack, after floating for two weeks with severe damage from a missile strike. All crew were safely evacuated from that vessel.
The Houthi attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
The cost of insuring a seven-day voyage through the Red Sea has risen by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
While the militia has said it would attack vessels with links to the UK, the US and Israel, shipping industry sources say all ships could be at risk.
The True Confidence is owned by the Liberian-registered company True Confidence Shipping and operated by the Greece-based Third January Maritime, both firms said in their joint statement. They said the ship had no link to the US.
