India-Flagged Cargo Ship Sinks Off Yemen Coast After Explosive Boat Attack In Red Sea, All 14 Crew Rescued

New Delhi: An India-flagged cargo ship sank in the Red Sea off Yemen’s western coast on Tuesday after it was struck by an explosives-laden boat. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the attack, saying that the vessel was carrying 14 seafarers, including 13 Indians, at the time of the attack. Following the explosion and subsequent sinking, the Yemeni forces launched a rescue operation in the area, and all 14 sailors on board were brought to safety.

As per reports, there were no immediate reports of casualties during the attack, which has now added to mounting concerns over maritime security in the Red Sea corridor, a key route for global trade. Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya capsized and went down near Yemeni waters, but said every person on board had been brought to safety.

The official sources claimed that the cargo vessel was targeted by a boat packed with explosives while transiting waters off Yemen’s western coastline. The blast caused heavy damage, leading to the ship taking on water and eventually sinking. The Yemeni forces responded immediately and managed to pull all 14 crew members from the sea, which included 13 Indian sailors and 1 Yemeni national.

The Red Sea remains a vital artery for India’s trade with Europe, Africa and the Middle East and attacks on commercial vessels in the region have raised alarms among shipping companies and governments over crew safety and supply chain disruptions.

Meanwhile, the incident was the first known attack on an Indian ship in the Red Sea corridor, a stretch of sea that has grown increasingly hazardous in recent months amid repeated strikes on commercial traffic. The MEA condemned the strike, urged an end to attacks on merchant shipping, and said that the Indian embassy in Riyadh was in close contact with the Yemeni administration to monitor the welfare of the sailors. At a time when global trade routes are under pressure and insurance costs are climbing, the sinking has added fresh urgency to calls for secure passage through one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints.

According to the officials, the vessel was struck about 13 nautical miles off Hodeidah, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, by an alleged projectile and an explosives-laden boat. The blast caused the ship to capsize before it sank, which was reportedly carrying Saudi oil at the time.

Minister Sonowal stated that the government treated the incident with utmost seriousness, saying, “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.”

The minister added that he had instructed the Director General Maritime Administration (DGMA) to coordinate with all relevant agencies to ensure the absolute security of Indian seafarers in the region and to provide every necessary assistance to the rescued crew.

The Foreign Ministry also issued a strong condemnation in a statement, saying, “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.”

The ministry confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh was proactively coordinating with the Yemeni authorities for the safety and security of the crew, and thanked Yemen for the support in the rescue operation. The MEA did not name any group responsible for the attack at the time of publication.

The ministry said, “The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome.” It added that such attacks must end and called for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways in accordance with international law.

Yemen’s government-aligned National Resistance Forces (NRF) earlier reported that the Indian vessel had come under attack by an explosives-laden boat off the western coast before sinking. The administration said that no casualties were reported and no group had claimed responsibility.

Notably, the Red Sea links Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal and carries a large share of global trade and energy supplies. Waters around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have become increasingly dangerous as Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to target commercial vessels with missiles and drones. The campaign has forced many shipping firms to reroute around Africa, pushing up transport and insurance costs, and has prompted multinational naval forces to increase patrols.

At present, tensions have intensified further in recent weeks after Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and threatened to target Saudi-linked commercial shipping in the strait. Meanwhile, Tuesday’s sinking showed the risks to civilian crews operating in the corridor.

Further details about the vessel, the cargo and the circumstances of the attack are awaited.