Dutch cargo ship crew member dies after Houthi attack in Gulf of Aden

A crew member aboard a Dutch cargo ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden last week has died from injuries sustained during the assault, the vessel’s Amsterdam-based operator, Spliethoff, confirmed in a statement released on the evening of October 6.

The company did not disclose further details about the deceased, but a spokesperson told a Dutch broadcaster that the crew member was of Filipino nationality, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The cargo vessel Minervagracht was navigating through international waters in the Gulf of Aden when it was hit by an explosive device. The impact caused significant damage and sparked a fire on board. Nineteen crew members—of Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and Sri Lankan nationalities—were later evacuated by helicopter.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack. The rebels have carried out multiple assaults on vessels in the Red Sea and nearby waters since 2023, targeting ships they allege are linked to Israel in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

Spliethoff reported that one additional crew member remains under medical care in Djibouti.

“His condition is stable, and we expect he will be able to return home later this week,” the company said.

By Sabina Mammadli