Indian-Flagged Vessel Sinks Off Yemen; All 13 Indian Crew Members Rescued

New Delhi, August 5, 2026: An Indian-flagged commercial vessel carrying oil from Saudi Arabia sank in the Red Sea after being struck by a projectile off Yemen’s western coast, but all 13 Indian crew members and a Yemeni national on board were rescued, authorities said.

The mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya came under attack on August 4 while sailing about 13 nautical miles south of Al Hudaydah, according to reports. The impact caused the vessel to capsize before it eventually sank.

The rescued crew members were taken to the Port of Mokha, where they received medical attention. No casualties were reported.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack and described the targeting of commercial shipping as a serious threat to maritime safety and freedom of navigation.

The MEA confirmed that all 13 Indian nationals had been rescued and said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh was monitoring the situation in coordination with Yemeni authorities.

India also thanked the Yemeni authorities for their swift rescue operation and called for an end to attacks on commercial vessels in the region.

“The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end,” the MEA said, calling for the restoration of “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways” in accordance with international law.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal also condemned the incident, describing it as an “unprovoked assault” on a commercial vessel.

Sonowal said all 14 seafarers had been rescued safely and directed the Directorate General of Maritime Administration to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the region.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions around the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

Yemen’s government-aligned National Resistance Forces said the vessel was attacked while transiting the area and that the Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard subsequently carried out a joint rescue operation.

India has not officially attributed responsibility for the attack. Forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government have blamed the Houthi movement, although the Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the incident.

The sinking adds to concerns over the security of commercial shipping in the region amid continuing attacks and threats against vessels. The development is particularly significant for India, given its dependence on maritime routes for energy imports and international trade.

The incident also comes against the backdrop of wider instability affecting key maritime routes in the region. Disruptions in both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz could pose additional risks to India's energy security, shipping costs and supply chains.

India has repeatedly called for the protection of commercial shipping and the restoration of safe and uninterrupted navigation through international waterways, maintaining that merchant vessels should not become targets in regional conflicts.

Courtesy : The Tribune