An Indian national was among 21 crew members who were rescued by the Indian Navy after their cargo vessel, called “True Confidence” was attacked by a missile by the Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden. The Indian Navy tweeted that INS Kolkata rescued using the integral helicopter and boats and additionally provided them with critical medical aid.
Taking to X, the Indian Navy said that rescue members were evacuated to Djibouti by INS Kolkata. “INS Kolkata deployed for maritime security operations, arrived on locations at 4:45PM and rescued 21 crew, including one Indian national using integral helicopter and boats. Critical medical aid provided to the injured crew,” a Navy spokesperson tweeted.
The Barbados flagged vessel was attacked by the Houthis in the Gulf of Aden on March 6, 2024 killing three crew members and forcing other remaining members to abandon the ship. This was the first fatal strike in a series of attacks on vessels by Yemen’s Houthi rebels who are backed by Iran over the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza Strip.
The latest attack further escalated the tensions on the crucial maritime route linking Asia and the Middle East to Europe that has disrupted global shipping. The Houthi rebels have launched multiple attacks since November 2023 and the United States of America began an airstrike campaign in January 2024, which so far, has not stopped the attacks.
The Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree wrote on social media that the True Confidence was targeted with multiple missiles after the ship crew rejected warning messages from the Houthis.
Referring to the recently attacked cargo vessel, the US military central command statement (CENTCOM) said a missile struck the True Confidence leading to massive ship damage. Besides killing three people at least four members were injured and three were in critical condition. Two aerial pictures released by the US military showed the vessel bridge and cargo in flames.
The crew abandoned the ship and coalition warships responded and are assessing the situation, the statement said, noting that this was the fifth time the Houthis had launched an anti-ship ballistic missile in two days.
Meanwhile in the past few weeks, the Indian Navy has extended assistance to numerous merchant ships in the Western Indian Ocean, following attacks on them.
