India on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack on Indian-flagged commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, and confirmed that all 13 Indian nationals on board had been rescued.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the safety and security of the rescued crew. The government also called for an end to attacks on commercial shipping and urged the restoration of safe navigation through international waterways.

MEA Confirms Rescue of Indian Crew

In a statement, the MEA condemned the attack on the vessel, which sank on August 4 after coming under attack in the Red Sea.

“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,” the ministry said.

Confirming the rescue of the Indian crew members, it added, “All 13 Indian nationals have been rescued.”

The ministry said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with Yemeni authorities regarding the welfare of the crew.

“We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support,” the MEA said.

India Calls for Safe Navigation

Expressing concern over the security situation in the region, the ministry said repeated attacks on commercial vessels were a matter of serious concern.

“The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome,” the statement said.

The MEA urged an immediate end to such attacks and called for the restoration of unrestricted maritime trade in accordance with international law.

“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,” it added.

Sonowal Condemns ‘Unprovoked’ Attack

Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India strongly condemned what he described as an “unprovoked attack” on the Indian mechanised sailing vessel.

In a post on X, Sonowal said the vessel had been struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters, causing it to capsize and sink.

“India strongly condemns this unprovoked attack on the defenseless mechanised 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,” he said.

The minister also said he had directed the Director General Maritime Administration (DGMA) to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the region and provide all necessary assistance to the rescued crew.

Yemeni Forces Conduct Rescue Operation

According to Anadolu News Agency, citing Yemen’s government-aligned National Resistance Forces (NRF), the vessel was attacked about 13 nautical miles south of Al Hudaydah before sinking.

The Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard subsequently carried out a joint rescue operation, bringing all 14 crew members, comprising 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni national, safely ashore.

The rescued crew received medical assistance, and no casualties were reported.

The NRF, led by Tareq Saleh, operates along Yemen’s western coastline near the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Renewed Security Concerns in Red Sea

The attack comes amid renewed concerns over maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait following a resurgence of attacks targeting commercial shipping.

On July 20, Yemen’s Houthi group announced what it described as a “naval blockade” on Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to warn that it would respond firmly to threats against its vessels.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea and is one of the world’s most important international shipping routes.

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