Dubai: Nineteen Indian seafarers who had been stranded in Yemen's Hodeidah and Sana'a cities for nearly two weeks have been safely evacuated and are returning to India, the Indian Embassy in Yemen said on Sunday.
In a post on X, the embassy confirmed that all 19 seafarers were safe and in good health. It also thanked everyone involved for their cooperation and support in facilitating the evacuation.
The evacuation comes days after India confirmed that 14 Indian nationals aboard a yacht involved in an incident off the Yemeni coast were safe. However, it is not yet clear whether these 14 nationals are among the 19 seafarers who have now been evacuated.
On October 23, the Indian mission had said that all 14 Indians aboard the yacht near Hodeidah were safe. It had also confirmed that it was in contact with relevant parties to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Previously, some Arab media outlets had quoted Yemen-based Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree as claiming that Saudi forces had targeted the Indian yacht near Yuqar Island in the Red Sea, off the Yemeni coast. Saree had said the vessel was carrying 14 Indian nationals and that Houthi forces had taken part in rescuing them.
The evacuation took place amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis, with attacks and retaliatory strikes reported in recent days.
The renewed violence has also heightened concerns over the safety of civilian and energy infrastructure, as well as maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, an important international shipping route. (with inputs from media organisations)