An Indian commercial vessel, the MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on August 4 after being hit by a projectile. Indian authorities confirmed that all 14 crew members on board, 13 of whom are Indian nationals, were successfully rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated that the mechanised sailing vessel was struck near Yemeni waters, which caused it to capsize. Following the rescue, the crew members were transported to the Port of Mokha for safety.
Addressing the incident on the social media platform X, Minister Sonowal declared, “The safety of our people is our supreme priority.” He confirmed that he has directed the Director General of the Maritime Administration to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the continued security of Indian seafarers in the region and to provide necessary support to the survivors.
The minister condemned the incident, characterizing the strike as an “unprovoked attack” on a “defenceless” vessel. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also issued a statement confirming the sinking and noting that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is working closely with Yemeni authorities to manage the situation.
The Indian government expressed its gratitude to the Yemeni authorities for their critical assistance during the rescue operation. However, the MEA described the ongoing pattern of attacks on commercial shipping in the region as “deeply worrisome” and called for an immediate cessation of the targeting of merchant vessels.
India has urged the restoration of “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce” through international waterways, emphasizing that such actions must adhere to international law. This event occurs against a backdrop of heightened security risks in the Red Sea, where repeated strikes on shipping have disrupted global maritime trade routes.
The incident adds to a series of maritime security challenges involving Indian personnel in recent years, including prior attacks on tankers and merchant ships in the region, which have necessitated diplomatic interventions and embassy support for affected seafarers.
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Source: Gulf News
