VIDEO: Indian cargo vessel sinks after Yemen projectile strike

An India-flagged cargo vessel hit by a projectile in Yemeni waters on August 4 caught fire and sank off Yemen’s western coast, with all 14 crew members rescued, the Times of India reported.

The vessel, identified as the MSV Faize Noore Oliya, was carrying 13 Indians and one Yemeni sailor. The Yemeni Coast Guard rescued all 14 crew members and brought them safely to the port of Mokha. No casualties were reported.

The ship sank around 13 nautical miles, or 24 km, south of Hodeidah, which the report described as a Houthi-held port city. Visuals shared by Press TV showed the vessel on fire in the Red Sea before it sank off Yemen’s western coast.

Yemen’s government-affiliated National Resistance Forces said coast guard and naval units carried out a joint rescue operation after the vessel was attacked. The forces blamed Yemen’s Houthi rebels for the attack, while the Houthis had not commented on the incident, according to the report.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and said the continued targeting of commercial shipping in the region was “deeply worrisome.” “The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end,” the ministry said, calling for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways to be restored in accordance with international law.

Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal called the incident an “unprovoked attack” and said the safety of Indian seafarers remained the government’s “supreme priority.” The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is coordinating with Yemeni authorities and monitoring the safety and security of the rescued crew.