The Indian warship INS Kolkata successfully rescued 21 crew members on Thursday, March 7, including one Indian national, from a Barbados-flagged cargo vessel that was struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. According to reports, the crew had abandoned the MV True Confidence bulk carrier after it caught fire in the aftermath of the recent attack.
Commander Vivek Madhwal, the Navy spokesperson, stated, “INS Kolkata, deployed for maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden, reached the scene at 4.45 pm and carried out the rescue of 21 crew members, including one Indian national, from a life raft using its integral helicopter and boats.” He added that the ship’s medical team delivered crucial medical aid to the injured crew members.
Following the successful rescue operation, the crew, including those with critical injuries, were safely evacuated to Djibouti by INS Kolkata. Commander Madhwal emphasized the prompt response of the Indian Navy warship to the maritime incident in the Gulf of Aden.
The Barbados-flagged vessel was reportedly hit by a drone approximately 55 nautical miles southwest of Aden, resulting in a fire onboard and critical injuries to some crew members, leading them to abandon the ship. This incident unfolds amid heightened global concerns regarding attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Houthi militants.
