Indian vessel sinks in Red Sea after projectile strike
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- All 14 crew members rescued safely.
- Yemen blames Houthis for strike.
- Shipping disruptions continue in Red Sea.
An Indian-flagged commercial vessel capsized and sank in the Red Sea near Yemeni waters on Tuesday after being hit by a projectile, according to India's Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Despite the sinking of the commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya, all 14 seafarers aboard -including 13 Indian nationals- were rescued alive by the Yemeni Coast Guard and taken to the Port of Mokha.
Yemeni blames Houthi
Yemen's transportation ministry, operating under the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government, accused Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis of launching the attack using an explosive-laden boat.
The Houthi group has offered no comment regarding the incident.
India's Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is actively coordinating with Yemeni authorities in the aftermath of the sinking.
Our statement on attack on an Indian flagged commercial vessel
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 4, 2026
https://t.co/5dNzioU4jv pic.twitter.com/rGgtnl0luu
Red Sea traffic disruptions
Maritime traffic across the Red Sea off the Yemeni coast continues to face severe disruptions driven by Houthi operations seeking to blockade Saudi exports.
The ongoing campaign has further expanded the broader US-Iran conflict, which has already choked oil supply through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In response to the Houthi attacks on several Saudi tankers, Indian refiners have adjusted their procurement strategy, switching to cargoes from the Middle East on a delivered basis.
