New Delhi: India on Friday said that all 14 Indian nationals aboard a yacht involved in an incident off the coast of Yemen were reportedly safe. The Indian mission said it was continuing efforts to establish the circumstances of the incident and ensure the well-being of those on board.
The development follows claims by Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree, cited by Arab media on Thursday, that Saudi forces had targeted an Indian yacht near Yuqar Island in the Red Sea, close to the Yemeni coast.
Saree said the yacht was carrying 14 Indian nationals and claimed that Houthi forces were involved in rescuing them. Further details about the incident were expected to be shared later.
Indian Mission Says Nationals Are Safe
In a social media post on Friday, the Indian mission said reports indicated that all 14 Indian nationals were safe and were located around Hodeidah in Yemen.
The mission added that it would continue working to ensure their well-being. However, it did not specifically confirm who was responsible for the reported incident or independently establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.
On Thursday, the Indian Embassy had said it was gathering information about the incident and would extend all possible assistance to protect the Indian nationals.
The mission also said it had contacted different parties to establish the facts and determine what had happened.
What Did The Houthis Claim About The Yacht?
According to reports citing Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree, Saudi forces targeted the yacht near Yuqar Island off Yemen’s coast. Saree also claimed that Houthi forces were rescuing the people aboard.
These claims have not been independently established in the information available so far. The Indian mission’s statement confirmed that the nationals were reportedly safe but did not attribute responsibility for the incident.
The circumstances of the yacht’s involvement, the nature of the reported attack and the sequence of events remain unclear.
Incident Comes Amid Rising Regional Tensions
The incident comes amid heightened tensions involving the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with hostilities affecting the wider region.
The developments also follow separate attacks in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, in which an Indian national was killed and three others were injured in incidents involving a major airport and an oil field.
The situation has drawn attention to the safety of Indian nationals in areas affected by regional conflict. For now, Indian authorities are focused on verifying the available information and ensuring that the 14 people aboard the yacht remain safe.
