Sarbananda Sonowal Confirms Rescue of 13 Indian Nationals After Indian-Flagged Vessel Sinks in Red Sea
Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Shipping Minister, confirmed that all 14 people on board the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya were safely rescued after the ship sank off the coast of Yemen. The vessel was struck by a projectile, an attack that Sonowal described as an unprovoked strike. While the exact source of the projectile remains unclear, Yemen's transportation ministry accused the Iran-backed Houthi fighters of using an explosive-laden boat to strike the ship. India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks on commercial shipping in the region, calling them deeply worrisome. The ministry urged for the end of such violence and the restoral of unimpeded navigation in accordance with international law. The incident occurs during a period of heightened risk in the Red Sea, where many ships have diverted to avoid Houthi threats. Meanwhile, US officials expressed hope for a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been impacted by the Strait's blockage by Iran since February.