Indian Cargo Ship Sinks After Blast Near Yemen’s Red Sea Coast

Sanaa:An Indian cargo vessel reportedly struck an explosive boat near Yemen’s western coast in the Red Sea, triggering a powerful explosion that set the ship ablaze before it eventually sank.

According to international media reports, the vessel suffered extensive damage in the incident, and several crew members were injured. However, no fatalities have been reported.

Maritime security officials said the crew immediately initiated emergency procedures and alerted nearby naval authorities for assistance. Despite efforts to control the situation and tow the vessel to safety, the heavily damaged ship ultimately sank into the sea.

In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the vessel was hit by an unidentified projectile before it went down, adding that all crew members were safely evacuated.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion has fallen on the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which has carried out multiple attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea in recent months and has threatened to expand its maritime blockade.

Last month, the Houthis also announced plans to target shipping linked to Saudi Arabia and warned vessels against transiting through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—alongside the Strait of Hormuz—remaining among the world’s most strategically important maritime routes. Ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted global oil and gas shipments and raised concerns over international trade and maritime security.