Archive · 5 Aug 2026
FSUI urges Centre to deploy Navy to protect Indian seafarers
Some ships that carry goods across the ocean were attacked with missiles and drones near Yemen.
One of these ships was from India and was called MSV Faize Noore Oliya.
It was attacked in a narrow sea passage called the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and it sank.
There were 14 sailors on the ship, and 13 of them were from India.
The good news is that all 13 Indian sailors were rescued and are safe.
A group that looks after Indian sailors, called FSUI, asked the Indian government to send the Navy to protect ships in dangerous seas.
The FSUI says India provides more than 80 percent of the sailors who work on foreign ships, so their safety is very important.
The Indian government condemned the attack and said attacks on ships must stop so that trade can continue safely.
The Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) urged the Centre to deploy Indian Navy assets to protect Indian vessels and seafarers amid missile and drone attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea and the Red Sea.
Indian-flagged vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya, carrying 14 crew members including 13 Indians, was attacked in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait on 4 August 2026; FSUI said the attack was by Houthis.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said all 13 Indian nationals aboard were rescued, and the vessel sank about 13 nautical miles south of Al Hudaydah off the coast of Yemen.
FSUI, which says it warned the government about potential threats about a month ago, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding immediate intervention, saying the safety of seafarers cannot wait.
India supplies more than 80 per cent of seafarers to foreign-flagged vessels, and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the attack and directed the DGMA to ensure crew security.
- Who
- The Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI), led by General Secretary Manoj Yadav, Indian authorities including the Ministry of External Affairs and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Indian crew of MSV Faize Noore Oliya.
- What
- FSUI demanded the immediate deployment of Indian Navy assets after the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya was attacked by Houthis and sank; all 13 Indian nationals aboard were rescued.
- When
- The attack happened on 4 August 2026 (Tuesday).
- Where
- In the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait / Red Sea off the coast of Yemen, about 13 nautical miles south of Al Hudaydah; similar threats persist in the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea.
- Why
- Ongoing missile and drone attacks on commercial shipping in conflict zones endanger Indian seafarers, who make up more than 80 per cent of crew on foreign-flagged vessels, prompting demands for naval protection until conflicts resolve.
- Vessel attacked
- MSV Faize Noore Oliya (Indian-flagged)
- Attack location
- Bab-el-Mandeb Strait / Red Sea, about 13 nautical miles south of Al Hudaydah, Yemen
- Attack date
- 4 August 2026
- Crew on board
- 14 crew members, including 13 Indians
- Rescued
- All 13 Indian nationals
- Alleged attacker
- Houthis (per FSUI)
- Key demand
- Deploy Indian Navy in Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea and Red Sea until conflicts resolve
- India's share of seafarers on foreign-flagged vessels
- More than 80 per cent