Indian-flagged vessel sinks after projectile attack off Yemen; all 13 Indian crew rescued amid mounting Red Sea risks

Published 4 August 2026 · india

An Indian-flagged mechanized sailing vessel sank off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday after being hit by a projectile, underscoring the growing risks facing commercial

An Indian-flagged mechanized sailing vessel sank off the coast of Yemen on Tuesday after being hit by a projectile, underscoring the growing risks facing commercial shipping in West Asian waters despite stepped-up safety measures by the Indian government for its seafarers. The Indian-flagged MSV Faize Noore Oliya capsized and sank near Yemeni waters after the attack. All 14 crew members on board, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought safely to the Port of Mokha, according to the government. The incident comes weeks after several merchant vessels, including Indian-linked ships, were caught in the crossfire during the recent US-Iran conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the continuing vulnerability of commercial shipping traversing one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. Shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal strongly condemned the latest attack, calling it an “unprovoked attack on the defenseless mechanized sailing vessel.” “The safety of our people is our supreme priority & 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,” Sonowal said in a post on X.

The minister said he had directed the Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) to coordinate with all concerned agencies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers in the region and extend all necessary assistance to the rescued crew. India’s ministry of external affairs also condemned the attack, saying India was closely coordinating with Yemeni authorities. “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 MEA added that the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region were “deeply worrisome” and stressed that “the targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest.” Security incidents The latest attack adds to a series of security incidents involving merchant vessels since tensions escalated across the Gulf region.