Indian Cargo Ship Sinks After Strike Off Yemen Coast

The Indian cargo ship Faize Noore Oliya sank after being hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Yemen. All 14 crew members were rescued.

This was announced on Tuesday, August 4, by India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

According to him, the Indian-flagged mechanized sailing vessel sustained damage after being hit by a projectile, capsized and sank. The circumstances of the attack and the exact location of the incident have not yet been disclosed.

India's Ministry of External Affairs clarified that there were 13 Indian nationals on board. All of them have been evacuated and are safe. Thus, the crew consisted of 14 people, one of whom held a different nationality.

There have been no reports of casualties. Indian authorities have also not disclosed what cargo the ship was carrying or its destination.

The type of projectile that struck the vessel has not yet been identified. No party has claimed responsibility for the attack. The internationally recognized government of Yemen has blamed the Houthis for the attack, but there is no independent confirmation of this yet.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of growing threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait area. In July, the Indian maritime authority issued a separate warning for Indian-flagged vessels and ships with Indian seafarers transiting waters off Yemen and the southern Red Sea.

Earlier, the Houthis declared a naval blockade of vessels linked to Saudi Arabia and claimed attacks on oil tankers using missiles and drones. These actions have increased risks for one of the key routes between Asia and Europe.

Based on materials from: The Economic Times