An Indian-flagged commercial vessel sank in the Red Sea off Yemen’s western coast on Tuesday after coming under attack, but all 14 crew members were rescued, according to Yemeni authorities and Indian officials.

The Faize Noore Oliya was attacked about 13 nautical miles south of the port city of Hodeidah, according to Yemen’s government-aligned National Resistance Forces.

The vessel reportedly sank after being struck while sailing through the Red Sea, although authorities gave differing accounts of the attack.

Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on X that the ship had been “hit by a projectile near Yemeni waters,” while the National Resistance Forces’ December 2 news agency reported that it was attacked by an explosives-laden boat.

No group had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of reporting.

Crew rescued safely

A joint operation by the Yemeni Navy and Coast Guard rescued all 14 crew members, comprising 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni, officials said.

The rescued sailors were transferred to a safe location, where they received medical assistance. No casualties were reported.

Attack near strategic shipping lane

The vessel was attacked south of Hodeidah, a key Red Sea port controlled by Yemen’s Houthi movement.

The incident comes amid renewed security concerns in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

Last month, the Houthis announced what they described as a “naval blockade” on Saudi Arabia, prompting Riyadh to warn that it would respond firmly to any threats against its vessels.

The National Resistance Forces, led by Tareq Saleh, are deployed along Yemen’s western coastline near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and operate under the country’s internationally recognised government.

The latest attack underscores continuing risks to commercial shipping in the Red Sea, a vital route for global trade and energy supplies.