British cargo ship sinks after Houthi missile attack in Red Sea - becoming first vessel destroyed in rebels' campaign

2 March 2024, 13:02 | Updated: 2 March 2024, 13:29

A British-registered ship has sunk in the Red Sea
A British-registered ship has sunk in the Red Sea. Picture: Getty

By Emma Soteriou

A British-registered cargo ship has sunk after being hit by Houthi missiles in the Red Sea.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Rubymar is the first vessel to be fully destroyed as part of the Houthis' campaign over Israel's war against Hamas.

The ship had been drifting northward after being attacked on February 18 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait - a waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The attack occurred on the Sunday night, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

The crew were forced to "abandon the vessel", with the UKMTO later confirming that all crew were safe and an investigation had been launched.

Read more: 'Our democracy is under threat': Rishi Sunak says as he claims streets are being ‘hijacked’ by extremists

Read more: Joe Biden confuses Gaza with Ukraine twice as he announces plans to airdrop aid

The Rubymar cargo ship sinking off the coast of Yemen
The Rubymar cargo ship sinking off the coast of Yemen. Picture: Getty

Yemen's internationally recognised government, as well as a regional military official, confirmed the ship had since sunk.

The Rubymar's Beirut-based manager could not be immediately reached for comment.

Yemen's exiled government, which has been backed by a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, said the Rubymar sank late on Friday as stormy weather took hold over the Red Sea.

The vessel had been abandoned for 12 days after the attack but plans to tow it to a safe port had been considered.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who previously claimed the ship sank almost instantly after the attack, did not immediately acknowledge the ship's sinking.

The sinking cargo ship
The sinking cargo ship. Picture: Getty

Several ships have already been forced to take detours to avoid the route, with more disruption expected now the ship has sunk.

Last weekend, the US and UK launched more strikes against Houthi targets in eight locations across Yemen.

The targets included weapons storage facilities, attack drones and air defence systems.

The Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since the end of 2023 in a campaign intended to back Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Military chiefs to meet in UK next week - as Starmer confirms Ukraine peace effort ‘moving into operational phase’

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Joanne Penney, 40.

Five charged and one arrested after fatal shooting of 'deeply loved' mother

Ozdemir Zia hit Edna McLean as he turned his double-decker near Woolwich Arsenal station, London.

Bus driver avoids jail after killing 83-year-old pensioner in 'momentary error'

Front facade of a pretty country cottage, Netherbury, Dorset, UK - John Gollop

Met Police suggest planting roses in your garden could deter would-be burglars

March 11, 2025, London, England, UK: Actor, director and writer NOEL CLARKE arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice for his libel case against The Guardian over articles on sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Actress said to have been groped by actor Noel Clarke tells court 'it is a lie'

Melbourne, Australia. 15th Mar, 2025. Lando Norris of McLaren celebrates taking pole position during Qualifying at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Lando Norris takes pole in Australia GP qualifying - as Lewis Hamilton trails in eighth on Ferrari debut

Merritt Island, Florida, USA. 14th Mar, 2025. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 astronauts lifts off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Mar. 14.

SpaceX rocket finally launches to bring two stranded NASA astronauts back to earth after nine months

The body of 23-year-old Martine Vik Magnussen was discovered in a basement in Great Portland Street, London, in 2008

On-the-run suspect urged to hand himself in 17 years on from murder and rape of student found dead in basement

Pint of Guinness in front of different ale and beer pumps, The Merchant's Arch Bar & Restaurant, Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland

Guinness pint prices could soar to more than £6 due to Trump’s tariff war

Vladimir Putin must stop playing games with a ceasefire and come to the table, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he convenes world leaders to discuss peacekeeping in Ukraine

Starmer to host Ukraine peace summit - as he warns Putin to 'stop playing games' with ceasefire and come to table

Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department

Trump insists peace talks with Russia are going 'really well' despite Putin being accused of 'delaying tactics'

The MV Stena Immaculate tanker after it was hit by the MV Solong container vessel in the North Sea

Captain of container ship Solong which crashed into US oil tanker charged with gross negligence manslaughter