An Indian-flagged commercial vessel sank in the Red Sea on Tuesday after being struck by a projectile off the coast of Yemen, but all, were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard, Indian authorities confirmed.
The MSV Faize Noore Oliya, a mechanized sailing vessel, came under attack near Yemeni waters on August 4, causing it to capsize and sink.
The rescued crew members were taken to the Port of Mokha, where they are reported to be safe.
India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, condemned the attack, describing it as an “unprovoked attack” on a defenseless commercial vessel.
He said the safety of Indian seafarers remains the government’s highest priority and directed the Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) to coordinate with relevant agencies to provide all necessary assistance to the rescued crew and strengthen safety measures for Indian ships operating in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also strongly condemned the attack, confirming that all 13 Indian nationals on board had been rescued.
It said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is working closely with Yemeni authorities to ensure the crew’s continued safety and security and expressed gratitude to the Yemeni Coast Guard for its swift rescue efforts.
In its statement, the MEA described the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea as “deeply worrisome”, stressing that the targeting of merchant vessels must end.
It called for the immediate restoration of free and unimpeded navigation and commercial shipping through international waterways in accordance with international law.
The latest incident comes amid heightened security concerns in the Red Sea, where repeated attacks on commercial vessels have disrupted one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, raising international concerns over the safety of global shipping and regional maritime security.
