Guwahati: An Indian-flagged commercial vessel sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen after being struck by a projectile, Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday. All 13 Indian crew members and one foreign national on board were rescued safely by the Yemeni Coast Guard.
The mechanised sailing vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, capsized and sank near Yemeni waters. The rescued crew were taken to the port of Mokha.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack, describing it as an “unprovoked” strike on a defenceless civilian vessel. It also expressed concern over continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and reiterated India’s call for safe and unhindered navigation through international waterways.
Confirming the rescue, Sonowal said the safety of Indian seafarers remained the government’s highest priority.
“India strongly condemns this unprovoked attack on the defenceless mechanised sailing vessel. The safety of our people is our supreme priority and I am relieved to inform that all 14 seafarers, including 13 Indians, have been safely rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the Port of Mokha,” he said.
The Minister said he had directed the Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the security of Indian seafarers in the region and extend all necessary assistance to the rescued crew.
The MEA said India’s Embassy in Riyadh was coordinating with the Yemeni authorities and closely monitoring the situation.
“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. Our Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Yemeni authorities for the safety and security of the crew. We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support,” the ministry said.
The government did not identify those responsible for the attack.
The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, where maritime security has remained under strain amid continuing regional tensions.
The Red Sea is a key global shipping route linking Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal. Waters off Yemen, particularly around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, have witnessed repeated attacks on commercial shipping, prompting many operators to reroute vessels around Africa and increasing freight and insurance costs.