 "Indian national among 21 crew members rescued by Indian Navy from drone-hit vessel in Gulf of Aden")
The Indian Navy on Wednesday rescued as many as 21 crew members, including one Indian national, after it received a distress call from a merchant vessel which caught fire after being hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden.
Taking to X, the Indian Navy said that INS Kolkata swiftly acted against Wednesday’s maritime incident and all the crew members were safely evacuated to Djibouti.
#IndianNavy's swift response to Maritime Incident in #GulfofAden.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 7, 2024
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
“#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,” the Indian Navy wrote on X on Thursday.
“#INSKolkata deployed for #MaritimeSecurityOperations, arrived on location at 1645 hrs & rescued 21 crew, incl one Indian national, using integral helicopter & boats. Critical medical aid provided to injured crew,” it added.
“The crew of #TrueConfidence were subsequently evacuated to Djibouti, PM #06Mar,” it further said.
On Wednesday, INS Kolkata promptly answered a distress signal from the Liberian-flagged container vessel MSC Sky II, reportedly targeted by a drone or missile in the southeastern region of Aden.
Following the 7:00 pm distress call, the INS Kolkata mission swiftly redirected to provide essential aid. By 10:30 pm, the mission arrived near the assaulted vessel, as per an official statement.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAdditionally, based on the request of the master, the Merchant vessel (MV) was escorted from the scene of the incident to the territorial waters of Djibouti by the Indian Navy ship.
According to the statement, the crew of 23 personnel, including 13 Indian nationals are safe and the vessel is proceeding to her next destination.
Earlier on Tuesday, a 12-member specialist firefighting team, ex-Kolkata, embarked on the MV and provided assistance in extinguishing the residual fire and smoke. Additionally, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team also embarked on the MV for residual risk assessment.
Last month, responding to the distress call from the Fishing Vessel, an Indian Naval ship, mission deployed in the North Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, provided damage control assistance and undertook strengthening of the hull, rendering the boat safe for further transit.
Medical aid was also extended to three injured crew members.
The relentless and persistent efforts of the Indian Navy reaffirm its resolve towards the safety of all vessels and seafarers transiting in the region, the statement added.
With inputs from agencies
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