Indian cargo ship sinks off Yemen after attack; all 14 crew rescued

An Indian cargo vessel, the MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday after sustaining a direct hit from a projectile near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. Fortunately, all 14 crew members aboard the vessel were rescued safely by the Yemeni Coast Guard.

The vessel was approximately 13 nautical miles south of the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah when it was struck. Reports suggest the ship was hit by a remotely operated, explosive-laden boat, potentially linked to Houthi-aligned forces, although no group had claimed responsibility at the time of the incident. The crew, comprising 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni sailor, were transported to the Port of Mokha, where they received necessary medical attention and first aid.

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The safety of our people is our supreme priority.

India's Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, condemned the attack as "unprovoked" and emphasized the supreme priority of ensuring the safety of Indian seafarers. He directed maritime authorities to coordinate with relevant agencies to guarantee the security of Indian seafarers operating in the region and to assist the rescued crew.

This incident underscores the persistent security threats faced by commercial shipping navigating the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea, a critical global maritime corridor. The region has seen repeated attacks on merchant vessels by Houthi forces, disrupting global trade, increasing shipping insurance costs, and necessitating sustained international naval security operations. The attack also occurs amidst heightened regional maritime tensions.

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The vessel was attacked about 13 nautical miles south of the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.