Crew members aboard a Liberian-flagged ship set ablaze by a series of attacks in the Red Sea abandoned the vessel Sunday night as it took on water, marking the first serious assault in the vital corridor for trade after a monthslong campaign by Yemen's Houthi rebels there.

The crew of a Greek-operated bulk carrier hit by gunfire, drones and missiles in the Red Sea on Sunday were forced to abandon the vessel and were rescued by a passing ship, maritime security firms said.