Indian vessel sinks after explosive boat attack near Yemeni waters; 14 rescued

An Indian-flagged tanker reportedly carrying Saudi oil has sunk off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea after being hit by a projectile. The vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank on August 4, 2026. All 14 seafarers, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard after the vessel capsized. India's Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, condemned the attack as unprovoked. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that the continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and called for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation in accordance with international law. Yemen's transportation ministry accused the Iran-backed Houthis of carrying out the attack using an explosives-laden boat, though the group has not commented. The Red Sea and its Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint have become a new theater of attacks, with reports suggesting Houthis are targeting Saudi-linked or owned tankers. Analysts note the threats to shipping in the Gulf and Red Sea have escalated to the worst safety situation since the Iran war began.