The Red Sea crisis reached a desperately low point this week, as a devastating Houthi missile strike on a cargo ship has led to the first merchant crew fatalities since the targeting of commercial shipping in the region began.

The vessel ‘True Confidence’, a Greek operated bulk carrier, was struck by a missile on Wednesday morning, which led to three of it’s crew losing their lives.

According to widespread reports, a further four crew members have been injured, three critically, as the ship was abandoned, left drifting, and on fire.

Houthi rebels confirmed responsibility for the attack, which happened around 50 nautical miles from the Yemeni city of Aden.

Earlier this week, the vessel “Rubymar’, which had previously been struck by missiles on February 18th, eventually sunk in the Gulf Of Aden days after the attack. The vessel was carrying ammonium nitrate fertilisers, which has sparked fears of a potential environmental disaster in the Southern Red Sea area.