19 Stranded Indian Seafarers Rescued From Yemen
The Indian Embassy in Yemen has successfully rescued 19 Indian seafarers stranded in Hodeidah and Sana’a. Read more about the evacuation.
In a successful rescue operation, the Embassy of India to Yemen has safely evacuated 19 Indian seafarers who had been stranded in the volatile regions of Hodeidah and Sana’a for the last two weeks. The announcement was made by the Embassy on Sunday, confirming that the nationals are now out of harm's way.
Safe Return to India
Taking to the social media platform X, the Indian Embassy shared the positive news, stating that all 19 seafarers are in good health and are currently on their journey back to India. The diplomatic mission expressed its sincere gratitude to all parties involved, acknowledging the valuable cooperation and continued support that made the safe evacuation of these Indian nationals possible.
A Backdrop of Conflict and Loss
This successful evacuation comes at a time of extreme instability in West Asia. The risks faced by maritime workers have been highlighted by recent tragedies. According to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, India has already lost 23 nationals in the ongoing conflict within the region, a figure that includes 15 Indian seafarers.
The danger extends beyond the immediate conflict zone. The MEA previously noted that five Indian nationals were killed during attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea region, with two others still reported missing.
Escalating Tensions in the Region
The rescue operation took place amid a surge in military activity. On Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles. These missiles had been launched by Yemen's Houthi militia and were targeting Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
Warnings and Military Claims
The missile attacks followed urgent alerts from Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence, which warned of "potential danger" in the Eastern Province, specifically in the city of Dammam and the governorates of Abqaiq and Al-Ahsa. Authorities urged residents in these areas to seek shelter immediately and adhere to safety protocols.
These events align with claims made by Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthi group, who asserted that the militia had carried out six separate missile and drone operations aimed at strategic installations throughout Saudi Arabia.