Indian cargo ship sinks in Red Sea after attack, all 14 crew rescued

Published Aug 5, 04:20 PM UTC

On August 4, 2026, the Indian-flagged mechanized vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya was struck by an explosive-laden boat and sank in the Red Sea off Yemen's western coast, approximately 13 nautical miles south of Hodeidah. All 14 crew members (13 Indians and one Yemeni) were rescued by Yemeni Coast Guard and naval units and taken to Mokha for medical evaluation. No group has claimed responsibility, but Yemen's internationally recognized government blamed Iran-backed Houthi forces. The attack is the fourth such incident since August 2026, as the ongoing US-Iran conflict in the Strait of Hormuz spreads to the wider region. Houthis have conducted repeated attacks on Red Sea shipping since November 2023, initially targeting vessels with Israeli links but expanding to broader maritime traffic. Analysts warn a successful strike on a high-value vessel could trigger renewed US or allied airstrikes in Yemen.