Establishing facts: India on Houthis’ claim Saudi Arabia targeted yacht carrying 14 Indians

Mangalore Today News Network

Yemen, Oct 23, 2026: The Indian Embassy in Yemen is contacting various parties to establish the facts surrounding an alleged attack on a yacht reportedly carrying 14 Indian nationals off the Yemeni coast.

The Indian mission said there were apparently Indian sailors on board the yacht when the incident occurred on October 22 near Yuqar Island in the Red Sea.

According to Arab media reports quoting Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree, Saudi forces targeted the yacht, which was carrying 14 Indian nationals. Saree claimed that Houthi forces were working to rescue those on board and said further details would be provided later.

“We are continuing to make efforts to find more details about the incident off the coast of Yemen on October 22 in which apparently there were Indian nationals (sailors) on board a yacht,” the Indian mission said in a social media post on Friday.

The embassy said verified information was not yet available due to the prevailing conflict situation.

“Given the prevailing conflict situation exact information is not currently available. We have reached out to different parties to establish circumstances and facts of the incident and hope to update as soon as authentic information becomes available,” it added.

On Thursday, the Indian Embassy had said it was gathering further details about the incident and would extend all possible assistance to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals.

“We are ascertaining further details about the incident and will provide all possible help for ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian nationals,” the mission said in its earlier post.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions and attacks involving Iran-backed Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia, with both sides reportedly targeting facilities and infrastructure.

Separately, an Indian national was killed and three others were injured in two separate attacks on a major airport and an oil field in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.