At least seven out of 20 Indian crew members are missing after their boats came under aerial bombardment while plying between Somalia and Yemen, External Affairs Ministry said today.
Disputing reports that 20 Indian nationals were killed in air strikes by Saudi-led coalition forces at Yemen’s Hodeidah port, the MEA said 13 Indians crew members “are alive and seven are reported missing”,
We have seen media reports about the death of Indian nationals in Yemen. Indian Embassy officials in Djbouti are in touch with local contacts and we have ascertained that there were two boats one of which was plying between Berbera (Somalia) and Mokha (Yemen).
— External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson
Some media reports, quoting residents and fishermen, yesterday claimed that at least 20 Indian nationals were killed in air strikes by Saudi-led coalition forces on fuel smugglers at Yemen’s Hodeidah port.
They claimed two boats were hit in the attack on an area near the port.
India’s Embassy in Yemen was shut down in April after evacuation.
(With PTI inputs)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)