Six Indian crew members in Yemen dead, 14 still alive

Six of the seven missing Indian crew members in Yemen are dead. They were earlier reported missing after the air strikes launched by the Saudi-led forces on the Iranian backed Houthi rebels.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier stated that out of 21 crew members, 14 were alive and seven are reported to be missing. But in a latest official statement on September 11, Vikas Swarup, the external affairs ministry’s spokesperson, said, “It is now regrettably informed that late at night on September 10 the bodies of six of the missing persons present on the two boats were recovered and were brought to the Military Hospital. The families of the deceased have been informed and their verbal consent has been taken for appropriate funeral rites to be performed today in Hodeidah as per religious practices.”

Speaking about the status of the remaining 15 Indians, Mr Swarup said 14 are safe in Hodeidah. Of these, four are undergoing treatment in a local hospital. The Indian embassy is making all efforts to find the whereabouts of the lone missing person. The 14 survivors are in regular touch with their respective families.

In April, India had made one of the most successful evacuation operations in Yemen, called Operation Rahat.

Strife-torn Yemen has been locked in fierce clashes between the Houthi rebels backed by Iran and the Saudi- led coalition forces.

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