An Indian-flagged commercial vessel sank in the Red Sea off Yemen on Tuesday after an attack, but all 14 people aboard were rescued. Yemen’s internationally recognized government blamed Houthi forces, though the group had not claimed responsibility as of Tuesday evening.
India’s shipping minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the MSV Faize Noore Oliya was struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters, causing it to capsize and sink. The Yemeni Coast Guard rescued the crew, including 13 Indian nationals, and brought them to the government-held port of Mokha.
India condemned what Sonowal called an unprovoked attack on a defenseless mechanized sailing vessel. The Foreign Ministry said India’s embassy in Riyadh was working with Yemeni authorities and monitoring the condition of the rescued sailors.
Yemen’s Transportation Ministry accused the Iran-aligned Houthis of using an explosive-laden boat in the attack. The Houthis did not immediately respond to the allegation, and Indian officials did not identify who fired the projectile in their initial statements.
The sinking comes amid renewed attacks on Red Sea shipping. The Houthis claimed strikes against two Saudi oil tankers in July as part of a blockade targeting Saudi exports. Ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait later fell to its lowest level in months following attacks on Saudi vessels and coastal facilities.
The narrow strait links the Red Sea and Suez Canal with the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. A U.S. maritime advisory says the Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on commercial vessels since November 2023, affecting ships and crews connected to more than 60 countries.
Officials had not released information about the Faize Noore Oliya’s cargo, destination or the nationality of the 14th crew member.
