Indian Commercial Vessel Attacked Near Yemen, All Crew Rescued

An Indian-flagged commercial vessel was attacked near Yemen, leading to its sinking. Fortunately, all 14 crew members, including 13 Indians, were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the attack and emphasized the importance of crew safety. The Indian government is coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the well-being of the rescued sailors. This incident raises concerns about the safety of commercial vessels in the region. Read on for more details about the government's response and ongoing efforts.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 5, 2026, 07:20 IST

Incident Overview

New Delhi, August 4 - On Tuesday, Union Minister for Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal reported that an Indian-flagged commercial vessel was attacked in the waters near Yemen. Following the assault, the ship sank. In a social media update, Sonowal condemned the attack on the 'MSV Faiz Noor Oliya,' emphasizing that it occurred without provocation.

Safety of Crew Members

He stated, “The safety of our citizens is our top priority, and I am relieved to inform that all 14 crew members, including 13 Indians, have been safely rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the port of Mokha.” Sonowal also mentioned that he has instructed the Director General of Shipping to coordinate with all relevant agencies to ensure the safety of Indian sailors in the region and to provide all possible assistance to the rescued crew.

Government Response

India has strongly condemned this attack, asserting that commercial vessels in the area should not be targeted. The ministry confirmed, “All 13 Indian nationals have been rescued.”

Ongoing Coordination

Our embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the situation and actively coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the safety of the crew.” The Ministry of External Affairs expressed gratitude to Yemeni officials for their assistance in rescuing the Indian citizens.