19 Indian seafarers stranded for two weeks in Yemen safely evacuated, on way back home

19 Indian seafarers stranded for two weeks in Yemen safely evacuated, on way back home

Mangalore Today News Network

Dubai, Nov 9, 2026: Nineteen Indian seafarers who had been stranded in Yemen’s Hodeidah and Sana’a for the past two weeks have been safely evacuated and are on their way back to India, the Indian Embassy in Yemen said on Sunday.

"All seafarers are safe, in good health, and on their way back to India. The Embassy sincerely thanks all concerned for their valuable cooperation and continued support in facilitating the safe evacuation of our Indian nationals," the mission said in a post on X.

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 remains unclear whether these 14 individuals are among the 19 seafarers who have now been evacuated.

On October 23, the Indian Embassy had stated that all 14 Indian nationals aboard a yacht near Hodeidah were safe and that it was in contact with the relevant parties to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Earlier, some Arab media outlets had quoted Houthi group spokesperson Yahya Saree as claiming that Saudi forces had targeted the Indian yacht near Yuqar Island in the Red Sea, close to the Yemeni coast.

Saree had said the yacht was carrying 14 Indian nationals and that Houthi forces were involved in rescuing them.

The incident occurred amid renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, with attacks and counterattacks reported in recent days.

Saudi Arabia has intercepted Houthi missiles and drones, while Saudi-led coalition forces have carried out airstrikes in Yemen, raising concerns about a possible return to wider conflict after relative calm under a 2022 truce.

The latest escalation has also affected civilian and energy infrastructure, increasing concerns over maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial international shipping route.