Indian Vessel Sinks in Red Sea, 14 Crew Rescued After Projectile Strike
An Indian commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen after being hit by a projectile, but all 14 crew members, including 13 Indians, were safely rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard. The crew was taken to the Port of Mokha. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the strike as an “unprovoked attack” on a “defenceless” vessel and said India strongly condemned the incident.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the vessel sank on August 4 after coming under attack and thanked Yemeni authorities for their assistance in the rescue operation. The MEA also called for an end to the targeting of merchant vessels, stating that the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the region were “deeply worrisome”. India‘s embassy in Riyadh is closely coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the crew’s safety and security.
The incident highlights the heightened security risks in the Red Sea, where repeated attacks on commercial shipping have disrupted maritime trade and raised concerns over the safety of vessels transiting one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. This attack comes amid a series of incidents affecting Indian sailors in the region, including the discovery of a missing Indian sailor’s body off the coast of Oman.
The rescue operation by the Yemeni Coast Guard has been welcomed by Indian authorities, who have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of Indian seafarers in the region. The incident has also sparked concerns about the freedom of navigation and commerce in international waterways, with the MEA urging the restoration of “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce” through international waterways in accordance with international law.
