New Delhi, 23 October (H.S.): India on Friday confirmed that all 14 Indian nationals aboard a vessel involved in an incident off the coast of Yemen were safe and located in Hodeidah.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the information during a media briefing on Friday. “We are in touch with the parties concerned. We have learnt that all 14 Indian nationals are safe in Hodeidah. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of our citizens abroad,” he said.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels had claimed that Saudi Arabian forces attacked a vessel near Jabal Zuqar Island in the Red Sea, close to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The group said its forces had rescued the crew members. Saudi authorities had not issued an immediate comment on the allegation.

The incident comes amid continuing regional tensions involving the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a strategically important maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serving as a key route for international shipping.

Indian authorities are monitoring the situation and remain in contact with the relevant parties to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar