In a remarkable display of bravery and swift action, an Indian Navy warship rescued 21 crew members, including an Indian national, from the Barbados-flagged bulk carrier MV True Confidence after it was targeted by a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi militants. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday approximately 55 nautical miles southwest of Aden port in Yemen, tragically claimed three lives and left multiple individuals injured. As the crew faced imminent peril, the INS Kolkata, engaged in maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden, rushed to their aid.
#IndianNavy‘s swift response to Maritime Incident in #GulfofAden.
Barbados Flagged Bulk Carrier MV #TrueConfidence reported on fire after a drone/missile hit on #06Mar, approx 54 nm South West of Aden, resulting in critical injuries to crew, forcing them to abandon ship.… pic.twitter.com/FZQRBeGcKp
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 7, 2024
Commander Vivek Madhwal, serving as a Navy spokesperson, detailed the operation, noting the INS Kolkata’s arrival at the scene at 4:45 pm and its efficient execution of the rescue mission utilizing both its onboard helicopter and boats. The injured crew members received vital medical attention from the ship’s medical team, ensuring their immediate care and safety.
Following the successful evacuation, all 21 crew members, including those requiring medical assistance, were swiftly transported to Djibouti on the same day. This incident has raised concerns amidst escalating attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, particularly by Houthi militants. In recent weeks, the Indian Navy has actively intervened to aid various merchant vessels in the Western Indian Ocean following similar hostile encounters.
