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Aden (Yemen)/New Delhi, August 4. An Indian-flagged cargo ship sank in the Red Sea after being attacked by Houthi rebels off Yemen’s western coast. Yemeni forces rescued the ship’s 14 crew members, including 13 Indian sailors and one Yemeni national, Xinhua reported. However, the exact time of the attack was not disclosed.

The government-backed National Resistance Forces (NRF) said in a statement that Coast Guard and Navy units conducted a joint operation to rescue the crew of the ship, named “Faizeh Noor Olia,” which was attacked about 13 nautical miles south of the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah.

According to the statement, all 14 people on board were rescued and transported to safety. They were provided medical assistance, and no casualties were reported. The NRF has blamed the Yemeni Houthi group for the attack, but there has been no response from the Houthis so far.

Union Minister Sonowal strongly condemns the attack

Meanwhile, India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, also shared this information in a post on Instagram. Sonowal said that the Indian MSV Faiz Noor Olia was hit by a projectile near Yemeni waters, causing the vessel to capsize and sink. He said that India strongly condemns the unprovoked attack on this unescorted mechanized sailing vessel.

Safety is our top priority: Sonowal

Sonowal said, “The safety of our people is our top priority. I am relieved to inform you that the Yemeni Coast Guard has safely rescued all 14 sailors, 13 of whom are Indians. They have been safely transported to Mokha port.”

However, the statement did not specify who carried out the projectile attack. Previously, members of the Iran-backed Houthi group have targeted ships near Yemen. This group controls parts of the country.

The Ministry of External Affairs also issued a statement

The Ministry of External Affairs has also issued a statement on this matter. According to a statement issued by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry strongly condemns the attack on the Indian-flagged commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on August 4, 2026. Following the attack, the vessel sank in the sea. All 13 Indian nationals on board have been safely rescued.

According to the Ministry, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is closely monitoring the developments and is actively coordinating with the Yemeni authorities to ensure the safety of the crew.

Last month, a Saudi Arabian oil tanker was also attacked.

It is noteworthy that last month, an oil tanker owned by a Saudi Arabian company was also attacked in the Red Sea, causing a fire. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported this information, citing an official from Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority (TGA). However, all crew members on board were safe. The relevant authorities took all necessary measures to protect the ship, its crew, and the marine environment.