Indian Navy Rescues Ship Attacked by Drone in Gulf of Aden amid Houthi Attacks in Red Sea; All Crew Members Safe
The Indian Navy’s Guided Missile Destroyer INS Vishakhapatnam swiftly responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel facing a drone attack in the Gulf of Aden. The call for help came from a Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel named MV Genco Picardy in the Red Sea. This incident occurs as Yemen’s Houthi rebels disrupt commercial shipping trade routes in solidarity with Palestinians who are under constant attack from Israel.
Red Sea Attacks: India saves ship with 9 Indians in Gulf of Aden amid Houthi attacks#RedSea #RedSeaAttacks #Indian #Houthis #HouthiTerrorism https://t.co/XT3MU7Ss9Q
— Oneindia News (@Oneindia) January 18, 2024
The distress call from MV Genco Picardy was made on Wednesday night. The vessel, carrying 22 crew members, including nine Indians, was attacked by a drone approximately 60 nautical miles south of Port Aden. The Indian Navy spokesperson confirmed the incident on Twitter, stating that the INS Vishakhapatnam, which was on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, swiftly responded to the distress call and intercepted the MV Genco Picardy to provide assistance.
After intercepting the vessel, the Indian Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists boarded the MV Genco Picardy to inspect the damage. Following a thorough inspection, the specialists deemed the area safe for further transit, and the vessel is now proceeding to its next port of call.
This incident comes in the wake of another attack by Houthi rebels on a US-operated vessel in the Red Sea. In response, the US military conducted strikes on 14 Houthi missiles that posed a potential threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region.
The attacks by the Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea have had significant implications, including a slowdown in trade between Asia and Europe, and have raised concerns among global leaders. The escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas fighters in Gaza has played a role in the Houthi rebels’ actions. The rebels have claimed to be acting in solidarity with the Palestinians and have threatened to expand their attacks to include US ships as a response to American and British strikes on their positions.
The Genco Picardy shipping operator confirmed the attack and stated that the vessel was hit by a projectile while transporting phosphate rock through the Gulf of Aden. Fortunately, there were no injuries to the crew, and the ship only sustained limited damage to its gangway.
The Indian Navy’s prompt response and successful rescue operation have highlighted their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of vessels in the Gulf of Aden. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by commercial shipping in conflict zones and the crucial role played by naval missions in safeguarding maritime trade routes.
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