Indian Navy Rescues 21 from Missile-Hit Ship in Gulf of Eden

New Delhi: The Indian Navy rescued 21 crew members, including an Indian national, from a missile-hit merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

The merchant vessel, a Barbados-flagged bulk carrier MV True Confidence, was reportedly hit by a drone/missile, approximately 90 km southwest of Aden, on Wednesday. The resultant fire injured some crew members critically, forcing the crew to abandon the ship.

The Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata, deployed for maritime security operations in the region, arrived at the scene of action at 4: 45 pm on Wednesday and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national. A life raft was deployed from a helicopter that had been launched from the deck of INS Kolkatta. Critical medical aid was provided to the injured crew by the ship’s medical team.

The rescued crew, including the critically injured personnel, have been evacuated to Djibouti—on Africa’s eastern coast—.

Early on Tuesday, the Indian Navy saved a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel and its 23 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals, after it came under drone attack in the Gulf of Aden.