A serious incident involving an Indian cargo vessel occurred off the coast of Yemen. As a result of being hit by a projectile, the vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya capsized and sank. Fortunately, all 14 crew members were rescued.
Incident Details
The incident took place near Yemen's territorial waters. The vessel was struck by a projectile, causing it to capsize and subsequently sink. India's Minister of Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed these events in his statement.
"India strongly condemns this provocative attack on a helpless mechanized sailing vessel. The safety of our citizens is our highest priority. I am relieved to report that all 14 sailors, including 12 Indians, were safely rescued by the Yemen Coast Guard and brought to port," the minister noted.
Government Response
Sonowal also instructed the Directorate General of Shipping to take immediate measures to protect sailors in the region and provide the crew with necessary assistance. This underscores the importance of maritime transport safety amid rising tensions in the region.
Context of Events
Recall that Yemeni Houthis are considering introducing levies for commercial vessels passing through the southern part of the Red Sea. On July 20, the Iran-backed Houthi group announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. According to the militants, this was a response to the long-standing blockade of Yemen.
These actions by the Houthis create additional risks for maritime transport in the region, necessitating enhanced security measures and coordination among international partners.
