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Accidents

Magic Seas (2025)

Identity and flag: JMIC, pp. 1–2 and UN/IMO, p. 2.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Security Incident / Sinking
  • Severity: High
  • Evidence status: Official security reports and rescue statements; no completed casualty investigation identified.

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameMagic Seas
Vessel TypeBulk Carrier
Flag StateLiberia [LR]
IMO Number9736169
Gross Tonnage
LOA (m)
Owner/Operator

Identity and flag: JMIC, pp. 1–2 and UN/IMO, p. 2.

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2025-07-06
LocationSouthwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, in the southern Red Sea
RegionRed Sea
Coordinates
Fatalities
Injuries
Missing
Vessels Lost1
Cargo Loss
Direct Damage
Economic Damage

Key facts

  • The first attack report reached UKMTO at 11:25 UTC on 6 July. JMIC, p. 1
  • Security-provider reports described small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades, missiles and uncrewed surface vessels. JMIC, p. 1
  • Fire in a cargo hold and flooding in the engine room preceded abandonment. JMIC, p. 1
  • Safeen Prism rescued 22 people, including crew and security personnel. UAE statement
  • The UN/IMO compilation recorded sinking on 7 July; imagery on 8 July showed an oil slick likely near the vessel's last position. UN/IMO, p. 2

Narrative

On 6 July 2025, Magic Seas was sailing from China toward Turkey with fertilizer and steel billets when it came under attack in the southern Red Sea. At 11:25 UTC, its company security officer reported four or five small craft around the vessel. Subsequent reports described additional craft, gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, with the embarked security team returning fire. These details derive from operational reports relayed to JMIC. JMIC, pp. 1–2

By 14:01 UTC, the security officer reported a missile strike in a cargo hold and four approaching uncrewed surface vessels, two neutralised and two impacting the ship. At 14:49 UTC, fire in the cargo hold and flooding in the engine room prompted preparations to abandon. Abandonment was confirmed at 15:41 UTC. Safeen Prism recovered all 22 individuals, including crew and security personnel. EUNAVFOR Atalanta coordinated contacts with the rescue vessel and Djibouti authorities for disembarkation. JMIC, pp. 1–2, UAE statement, EUNAVFOR statement

The UN/IMO compilation subsequently recorded sinking on 7 July. It reported satellite imagery of a large oil slick on 8 July, likely originating near Magic Seas' last position, without quantifying a confirmed spill. The Houthis claimed responsibility; their statements do not independently establish each weapon impact or the attackers' motive. UN/IMO, pp. 2–3

Sequence of events

Date/time (UTC)Event
6 July, 11:25First report of small craft attacking Magic Seas.
6 July, 14:01Security officer reported a missile strike and two uncrewed surface vessel impacts.
6 July, 14:49Preparations to abandon following fire and flooding.
6 July, 15:41Abandonment confirmed; Safeen Prism recovered those aboard.
7 JulySinking date recorded in the subsequent UN/IMO compilation.
8 JulySatellite imagery showed an oil slick likely near the ship's last position.

Sequence: JMIC, pp. 1–2 and UN/IMO, p. 2.

Investigation

JMIC Information Note 117 is an operational security account, rather than a completed casualty investigation. UKMTO's 11 July summary also reported that Magic Seas had sunk. The later UN/IMO compilation transmits information received from maritime stakeholders; it is not an independent forensic reconstruction. No completed casualty investigation has been identified. Attribution to the Houthis remains based on their claim and the official compilations' reporting of it. JMIC, UKMTO summary, p. 1, UN/IMO, pp. 2–3

References

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