An Indian-flagged cargo vessel sank after being hit by a projectile in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on August 4, but all 13 Indian nationals were rescued.
Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya was struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters, causing it to capsize and sink.
In a separate statement, India’s ministry of external affairs (MEA) confirmed that MSV Faize Noore Oliya sank in the Red Sea off Yemen’s coast on August 4 after coming under attack, with all 13 Indian nationals rescued.
The ministry said India’s embassy in Riyadh was closely coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the crew’s safety and security.
It also thanked Yemeni authorities for their support.
The MEA said the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the region were “deeply worrisome” and called for an end to the targeting of merchant vessels.
It urged the restoration of “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce” through international waterways in accordance with international law.
“The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest,” the ministry stressed in a statement.
In a post on X, Sonowal condemned the incident as an “unprovoked attack” on a defenseless vessel and said the safety of Indian seafarers remains the government’s top priority.
He confirmed that all 14 seafarers (including 13 Indians) were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and taken to the port of Mokha.
“The safety of our people is our supreme priority,” Sonowal wrote on X, adding that he had instructed the Director General Maritime Administration (DGMA) to take immediate steps in coordination with all agencies to ensure the security of Indian seafarers in the region and provide all necessary assistance to the rescued crew.
