One of the crewmembers critically injured in the recent Houthi missile attack on the Minervagracht has died in a hospital in Djibouti, the Dutch shipping company Spliethoff has confirmed. The seafarer had been airlifted from the vessel by French forces after the September 29 strike in the Gulf of Aden.
In a statement on October 6, Spliethoff expressed deep sorrow over the loss and said it was providing full support to the family. No additional details were released.
Another injured crewmember remains hospitalized in Djibouti in stable condition and is expected to return home soon. Most of the 19-member multinational crew of the Minervagracht (from Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka) have now been repatriated.
The Minervagracht was hit while sailing eastbound from Djibouti in international waters, forcing the crew to abandon ship as a fire engulfed the accommodation block. They were rescued by EU naval forces under Operation Aspides.
Houthi forces later claimed responsibility, alleging the Dutch-owned vessel was targeted due to its operator’s calls at Israeli ports. The same ship had reportedly come under fire six days earlier before taking refuge at Djibouti’s Doraleh anchorage.
Spliethoff said it continues to cooperate with international authorities and salvage experts to secure the abandoned vessel, which has been listed by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) as a navigational hazard.
The incident marks the first seafarer fatality from Houthi attacks since July, when four crew members of the Greek-operated Eternity C died after the ship was struck and sunk in the Red Sea.
