India has strongly condemned the attack on an Indian-flagged merchant vessel that sank in the Red Sea after coming under attack near the coast of Yemen on Tuesday. The ship was carrying 14 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni citizen. All crew members were rescued safely following a joint operation by the Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the repeated attacks on commercial ships in West Asia as “deeply worrisome” and called for an immediate end to such incidents. India also thanked the Yemeni authorities for helping rescue the Indian nationals after the vessel capsized.

Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the cargo vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, overturned and sank after being hit by a “projectile” near Yemeni waters. The rescued crew members were later taken to the port of Mokha in Yemen.

In its official statement, the MEA expressed concern over the growing number of attacks targeting commercial vessels in the region. It stressed the need to restore safe movement through international sea routes.

“The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. The targeting of commercial shipping in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest,” the statement read.

The latest attack adds to a series of incidents involving commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea. The route has reportedly seen increased shipping activity after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in February, forcing some tankers to take alternative routes through the Red Sea.

The MEA also shared updated figures on Indian casualties linked to ongoing conflicts in the region. It informed Parliament that 10 Indian seafarers are among the 16 Indians who have lost their lives so far in the West Asia conflict. The ministry also said that another five Indian seafarers were killed in recent attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Meanwhile, Yemen's internationally recognised government blamed the Houthis for the attack and strongly condemned the incident. In a statement issued on Wednesday, a day after the vessel sank, Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described it as a “Houthi terrorist attack” on the Indian-flagged merchant ship.

The ministry said the vessel was targeted by “an explosives-laden boat” off Yemen’s western coast. It called the attack a “flagrant violation of international law” and said it posed a “direct threat” to maritime safety, security and the freedom of trade along international waterways.

Yemen also stated that the attack was part of an ongoing pattern of “crimes and assaults perpetrated by the Houthi terrorist militia”. The government reaffirmed its support for India and said it would continue to coordinate with Indian authorities.

“The Ministry reaffirms the solidarity of the Republic of Yemen with the friendly Republic of India and its continued coordination with the relevant Indian authorities, while extending all necessary support and facilitation to the vessel’s crew members,” the statement added.

India's Ministry of External Affairs thanked the Yemeni government for its quick response and assistance during the rescue operation. The successful rescue of all 14 crew members prevented any loss of life in the latest attack. The incident has once again highlighted the security risks faced by merchant vessels operating in one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes and has renewed concerns over the safety of international shipping in the region.