NEW DELHI — An Indian-flagged cargo vessel sank in the Red Sea after being struck by a projectile off Yemen's coast, but all 14 crew members were rescued safely, Indian authorities said, as the incident underscored continuing security risks to commercial shipping in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.
India's Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya came under attack before capsizing and sinking. The crew comprised 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni national, all of whom were rescued and taken to safety, according to Indian officials.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said all Indian crew members had been accounted for and were safe. The ministry said it was coordinating with relevant authorities and monitoring the situation closely.
Sonowal condemned the attack, describing it as an assault on an unarmed civilian vessel, and said the Indian government remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of Indian seafarers operating in high-risk waters.
The circumstances surrounding the projectile strike were not immediately clear, and no independent authority had publicly confirmed responsibility. Officials have not released details on the type of projectile used or the extent of the damage before the vessel sank.
The attack came amid heightened tensions across the Red Sea, where commercial shipping has faced repeated security threats linked to the regional conflict around Yemen. Shipping companies have increasingly adjusted routes, enhanced security measures or sought naval protection to reduce risks to crews and cargoes.
Following the sinking, the Forward Seamen's Union of India urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deploy additional Indian naval assets to protect Indian-flagged ships and Indian seafarers operating in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Black Sea and other high-risk waterways. The union said recent attacks had made key shipping lanes "active danger zones" for merchant vessels.
Indian authorities said they would continue working with regional partners and maritime agencies to support affected seafarers and strengthen safety measures for Indian shipping in the region. No further casualties or additional incidents involving the rescued crew had been reported as of Thursday.
