Athens, Greece — Greek sailor Vangelis Staridas has shared chilling details of the 48 hours of terror he endured at sea following a violent missile attack on the commercial vessel Eternity C by Houthi militants in the Red Sea earlier this July. His account was broadcast in a gripping interview aired by Greece’s Alpha TV, shedding light on the human toll of escalating maritime threats in the region.

Staridas described the moment the vessel was struck by multiple projectiles, including rocket-propelled grenades and explosive drones, while sailing approximately 50 nautical miles west of Hodeidah, Yemen.

“The sky lit up with fire. We were surrounded. It felt like the sea itself was closing in on us,” Staridas recounted emotionally. He remained aboard with the Filipino captain until the final moments, helping coordinate the evacuation of crew members amid chaos and flames.

The attack, which claimed the lives of three crew members and injured others, marked one of the deadliest maritime incidents in the Red Sea this year. Staridas was eventually rescued nearly 24 hours later by private maritime security firms Diaplous and Ambrey, after being found adrift in the water.

His family, speaking to Greek media, hailed him as a “lionhearted hero” for his courage and resilience. “He fought for two days in the sea and came out unharmed. All we want is for him to come home,” said his brother Nikos.

The Eternity C attack is part of a broader pattern of Houthi aggression targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, raising alarms among international maritime authorities. The European Union Naval Force and other security bodies have warned of renewed threats to global trade routes.

Staridas’s testimony has sparked renewed calls for enhanced protection of civilian vessels and stricter enforcement of maritime security protocols in conflict zones. Greek officials have expressed concern over the safety of nationals working in high-risk maritime corridors and are coordinating with international partners to ensure accountability.