Daijiworld Media Network - Aden (Yemen)

Aden (Yemen), Aug 4: An India-flagged cargo vessel sank after coming under attack from an explosives-laden boat in the Red Sea off Yemen's western coast, with all 14 crew members, including 13 Indian sailors, rescued safely, according to Yemeni authorities.

The government-affiliated National Resistance Forces (NRF) said coast guard and naval units carried out a joint rescue operation after the cargo vessel Faize Noore Oliya was attacked around 13 nautical miles south of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah.

The NRF did not specify when the attack took place.

According to the statement, all 14 people on board — 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni crew member — were rescued and taken to safety. They received medical assistance and no casualties were reported.

The NRF blamed Yemen's Houthi group for the attack. The Houthis had not commented on the allegation at the time of reporting.

The latest incident comes weeks after a Saudi company-owned oil tanker, Encelia, was attacked in the Red Sea and caught fire while sailing through the strategic waterway.

Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority had then said all crew members aboard the vessel were safe and that necessary measures had been taken to secure the ship and protect the marine environment.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), that attack occurred about 70 nautical miles southwest of Al Shuqaiq in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi group later claimed responsibility for attacking the tankers Encelia and Layla using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, alleging that the vessels had violated maritime restrictions announced by the group.

The Houthis had earlier imposed a maritime ban on Saudi-linked vessels, citing what they described as Saudi Arabia's long-standing blockade of areas under their control.