New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): An Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, capsized and sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday after being targeted by a projectile attack. All 14 seafarers aboard the defenceless mechanised sailing vessel, including 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni national, were safely rescued in a coordinated operation carried out by the Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard. Following the rescue, the crew members were transported to the Port of Mokha, where they received immediate medical assessments and assistance.
The Ministry of External Affairs issued an official statement strongly condemning the strike, confirming that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is actively monitoring the situation and liaising with regional authorities to guarantee the safety and security of the rescued crew. Indian officials extended formal gratitude to the Yemeni government for its swift support during the emergency response. Highlighting broader regional implications, the Ministry stated that recurring strikes on merchant shipping in crucial international waterways are deeply worrisome, demanding an immediate halt to attacks targeting commercial transit to ensure unhindered navigation under international maritime law.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal echoed New Delhi’s firm stance against the unprovoked assault, reiterating that the safety of Indian maritime personnel remains a supreme national priority. Sonowal directed the Director General Maritime Administration to work alongside maritime security agencies to protect seafarers operating across high-risk maritime corridors. The incident occurred approximately 13 nautical miles south of Al Hudaydah amid heightened security concerns surrounding strategic West Asian sea lanes, underscoring the ongoing volatility faced by commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
