India’s shipping ministry has reported that an Indian-flagged vessel, the Faize Noore Oliya, was attacked and sunk off the coast of Yemen in the southern Red Sea on August 4. The maritime security consultancy Windward identified the incident as a bomb-boat attack. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for this assault. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued by the coast guard of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, with 13 of them being Indian nationals.
Indian Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal issued a statement emphasizing the need for immediate actions to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers in the region. The nearest Indian embassy in Riyadh is coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the wellbeing of the rescued crew. The minister has instructed the Director General of Maritime Administration to collaborate with relevant agencies to provide necessary assistance.
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for an end to the targeting of commercial shipping in the area, stressing the importance of restoring free navigation. Windward’s tracking indicates that the vessel had previously engaged in AIS-dark operations, with its last known activities including visits to the UAE, Oman, and Djibouti. The location of the sinking was approximately 13 nautical miles south of Hodeidah, a port controlled by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have a history of attacking vessels.
