New Delhi: The Indian government strongly condemned the attack on an Indian-flagged commercial vessel that sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, while confirming that all 14 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals, had been rescued safely by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the Port of Mokha.
The vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya came under attack near Yemeni waters while sailing south of the port city of Hodeida, According to Yemen’s Transport Ministry.
Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed NNP news that “the ship was hit by a projectile near Yemeni waters before sinking, India strongly condemns this unprovoked attack on the defenseless mechanised sailing vessel.”
“I have instructed the Director General Maritime Administration (DGMA) to take immediate steps in coordination with all agencies to ensure the absolute security of Indian seafarers in the region and provide all necessary assistance to the rescued crew.”Sonowal said in a post on X.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also condemned the attack, calling for an end to assaults on commercial shipping in the region. “We condemn the attack on the Indian flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya that sank in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen on August 4, 2026. All 13 Indian nationals have been rescued,” Jaiswal said.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region,” he added.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government blamed the Iran-backed Houthi movement for the attack. According to Yemen’s Transport Ministry, the Houthis used an explosive-laden boat to attack the Indian vessel, which was bound for the port of Mokha, causing it to sink in the Red Sea.
It condemned the attack on the commercial vessel as an act of terrorism, saying it reflected the Houthis’ determination to undermine freedom of navigation in one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
The incident marks the latest escalation in security threats facing commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea. Last month, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and have since claimed responsibility for several attacks on oil tankers and maritime infrastructure.
The attacks have increased concerns over the safety of one of the world’s most important shipping corridors, which carries a significant share of global trade and energy supplies. The Red Sea has become even more strategically important after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, forcing some shipping operators to rely more heavily on alternative routes through the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia has also continued exporting crude oil through its Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing shipments to global markets without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. India, one of the world’s largest suppliers of merchant sailors, has more than 320,000 active seafarers, according to the country’s Shipping Ministry.
New Delhi has repeatedly called for the protection of commercial shipping and freedom of navigation in international waters, warning that continued attacks threaten global trade and the safety of civilian seafarers.
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