Pratik Das, Pune
The Indian Navy’s warship, INS Kolkata, saved 21 people, including one Indian, from the True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged Liberian-owned ship hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. The US military’s Central Command mentioned that three crew members died and survivors had to leave the ship due to a missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The Indian Navy mentioned that the ship’s medical team gave essential medical help to the injured crew members.
“Barbados Flagged Bulk Carrier MV True Confidence was reportedly hit by a drone/ missile, approximately 55 nm South West of Aden, on March 6, 2024, resulting in fire onboard and critical injuries to some of the crew members, forcing the crew to abandon the ship.” the Indian Navy posted on X.
“INS Kolkata, sent for Maritime Security Operations, reached the area and saved 21 crew members, including an Indian, from a liferaft using its helicopter and boats. The ship’s medical team also gave important medical help to the injured crew,” they added while sharing the video of the rescue operation.
The Iranian-backed group launched its first deadly attack amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. After the missile hit, the crew left the ship and used lifeboats. Both a US warship and the Indian Navy were present, attempting to aid in the rescue efforts, according to earlier reports from the news agency AP.
The people in charge of the ship mentioned that among the 20 crew members, there was one Indian, 15 Filipinos, and four Vietnamese. Additionally, three armed guards, two from Sri Lanka and one from Nepal, were also on board. The ship was transporting steel from China to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The owners and managers of True Confidence reported on Thursday that one Vietnamese and two Filipino crew members passed away, and two Filipino crew members sustained severe injuries. All crew members were transported to Djibouti.
The United Nations urged the Houthis to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, expressing deep concern about ongoing assaults, including the latest incident where the crew’s whereabouts are unknown, as stated by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree asserted responsibility for the attack, explaining in a recorded message that their missile caused the ship to catch fire. He emphasized that the rebel attacks would continue until the “blockade on the Palestinian people in Gaza is lifted.”
The rebels have targeted ships in the Red Sea and nearby waters during the Israel-Hamas conflict, but until Wednesday, they hadn’t caused any crew fatalities. Some ships carried cargo for Iran, the main supporter of the Houthis, and an aid ship destined for Houthi-controlled areas. The Indian Navy shared a video of its sailors tackling a fire on the MSC Sky II, attacked by Houthis in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. The Mediterranean Shipping Co. stated the missile hit the ship while traveling from Singapore to Djibouti, with no reported injuries.