New Delhi: An Indian-flagged cargo vessel sank in the Red Sea off Yemen’s western coast on Tuesday after an explosives-laden boat struck it, according to officials. All 14 people on board, including 13 Indian seafarers, were rescued by Yemeni forces following the attack.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the vessel was carrying 14 crew members at the time of the incident and confirmed that the ship came under attack in waters off Yemen.
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya capsized and went down near Yemeni waters, but everyone aboard was safely brought ashore.
Officials said the ship was hit about 13 nautical miles off Hodeidah, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, by an alleged projectile and an explosives-laden boat. The blast allegedly inflicted major damage, after which the vessel started taking on water and later sank, as reported by Republic.
The incident has heightened concern over maritime security in the Red Sea corridor, a crucial route for global commerce that has seen repeated attacks on commercial shipping in recent months.
MEA Condemns Attack
The MEA condemned the strike, urged an end to attacks on merchant shipping, and said the Indian embassy in Riyadh was coordinating with Yemeni authorities to track the welfare of the crew.
The Red Sea is a vital artery for India’s trade with Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and continued assaults on vessels in the region have raised alarms among shipping firms and governments over crew safety and supply-chain disruptions. The latest episode, officials said, was the first known attack on an Indian ship in the Red Sea corridor.
Sonowal said the government viewed the matter with the utmost seriousness, adding, “India strongly condemns this unprovoked attack on the defenseless mechanised sailing vessel. The safety of our people is our supreme priority & I am relieved to inform that ALL 14 seafarers (including 13 Indians) have been safely rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the Port of Mokha.”
He added that he had directed the Director General Maritime Administration (DGMA) to work with all relevant agencies to ensure the complete safety of Indian seafarers in the region and extend all necessary assistance to the rescued crew.
