In brief
An Indian-flagged merchant ship was hit by a projectile off Yemen’s coast, leading to a rapid capsizing and sinking. All 14 crew members, 13 of whom were Indian nationals, were rescued by Indian authorities. The incident is seen as an unprovoked attack, with India calling for safety measures for seafarers. Analysts point to the ongoing Houthi aggression and the broader tension surrounding the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping routes have been severely disrupted by recent military actions.
Indian-flagged ship survivors rescued after projectile hit off Yemen coast
A merchant vessel flagged in India, the MSV Faize Noore Oliya, capsized and sank after a projectile struck it near Yemen’s coast, authorities reported. The Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that 14 people aboard, including 13 Indian nationals, were safely rescued.
India condemned what it called an “unprovoked attack” and pledged to ensure the safety of seafarers in the region. Reuters reports that Yemen’s transportation ministry, representing the recognised Saudi-backed government, blamed Iran‑backed Houthi fighters for the attack, alleging the use of an explosive‑laden boat.
The incident follows a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a route that has become increasingly perilous since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in February.
The Moroccan Road of shipping lanes have seen new threats from Houthi forces, prompting calls for the restoration of free navigation and the end of targeting commercial vessels. The event highlights the heightened risks that oil tankers face as maritime security deteriorates amid regional conflicts.
