Indian-Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks in Red Sea; Crew Rescued After Attack Near Yemen

On August 4, a vessel flying the Indian flag, the MSV Faize Noore Oliya, was struck by a projectile while sailing about 13 nautical miles (24 km) south of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah. The impact caused the ship to capsize and sink in the Red Sea. All 14 seafarers on board—13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni crew member—were rescued by Yemen’s coast guard and naval forces in a joint operation launched from the port city of Mokha. No fatalities were reported, and the rescued crew received medical assistance after being taken to safety.

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea Indian Ship Crew Rescued After Vessel Sinks in Red Sea Attack - Yemen Online India denounces attack on a merchant ship off the coast of Yemen The Straits TimesThe Jerusalem Post

The Red Sea has become a flashpoint for maritime security since the Houthi movement, backed by Iran, announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in July 2024. The rebels have repeatedly claimed attacks on vessels they allege are linked to the Saudi kingdom, prompting heightened alerts for commercial shipping that traverses the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. India, which contributes over 320,000 seafarers to the global merchant fleet, has repeatedly warned that attacks on merchant shipping threaten international trade routes.

The Straits Times

• Crew composition: 13 Indian sailors, 1 Yemeni sailor.

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea

• Location of impact: Approximately 13 nautical miles (24 km) south of Hodeidah.

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea

• Date of sinking: August 4 (occurred).

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea

• Rescue operation: Conducted by Yemen’s navy and coast guard, coordinated from Mokha.

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea

• The Yemeni National Resistance Forces, led by Presidential Leadership Council member Tareq Saleh, blamed Yemen’s Houthi rebels for the attack, though the Houthis have not issued a comment.

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea

• The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is maintaining “proactive coordination” with Yemeni authorities to ensure crew safety and monitor the situation.

India denounces attack on a merchant ship off the coast of Yemen

• Responsibility: While Yemeni National Resistance forces attribute the strike to Houthi rebels, no Houthi group has claimed responsibility, and some reports simply note the attacker as “unknown.”

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea

• Nature of the weapon: The Straits Times describes the impact as a “projectile,” whereas YemenOnline reports the ship was hit by an “explosive-laden boat.” Both accounts agree on the location and outcome but differ on the weapon used.

Indian Ship Crew Rescued After Vessel Sinks in Red Sea Attack - Yemen Online

• Details of the attack: No source provides information on the identity of the vessel that launched the projectile or boat, nor on any broader operational intent beyond the immediate strike.

Yemen forces rescue 14 after Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea

• “The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end,” — Randhir Jaiswal, Indian foreign ministry spokesman “The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end,” — An Indian

The Straits Times

The sinking underscores the vulnerability of commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea amid the ongoing Houthi-Saudi maritime dispute. Disruptions to this corridor threaten global oil and cargo flows, especially as alternative routes such as the Strait of Hormuz face heightened tension. India’s diplomatic response highlights the broader concern among major seafaring nations about the safety of their nationals and the need for collective security measures in international waters.

The Straits Times