Indian Navy rescues vessel under ‘missile’ strike in Gulf of Aden

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 6

The Navy saved a Liberia-flagged merchant vessel and its 23 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals, after it came under attack in the Gulf of Aden on Monday.

The Navy said the vessel was transiting over 90 nautical miles southeast of Aden when it was reported to be on fire due to a “drone or missile attack”.

INS Kolkata, deployed in the Gulf of Aden, responded to a request. The warship was immediately diverted to render necessary assistance and arrived at the scene of the incident around 10.30 pm on March 4.

The merchant ship was escorted to the territorial waters of Djibouti, as requested.

In the wee hours of March 5, a specialist firefighting team of 12 Indian Navy personnel embarked the merchant vessel and provided assistance in extinguishing the residual fire. Additionally, an explosive ordnance disposal team also embarked the vessel for risk assessment.

“The crew, including 13 Indians, are safe and the vessel is proceeding to her next destination,” the Navy said.

The attack is latest in the series of strikes by Yemen-based Houthis rebels since November last year. The Houthis say they are targeting commercial ships in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

The Gulf of Aden is an important trade route that connects the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean. Attacks by the Houthis, coupled with piracy attempts, have affected the maritime trade between the West and the East.

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