NEW DELHI: Even as 20 Indian nationals were reported killed in air strikes by Saudi-led coalition forces at Yemen's Hodeidah port on Tuesday, the Indian Government has denied the report saying that only seven Indians were missing
in the bombardmet. The local sources had claimed two boats plying between Berbera in Somalia and Mokha in Yemen were hit in the attack purportedly on
fuel smugglers.
India has no Embassy operating in Yemen as the mission was closed in April last after evacuation of its nationals in view of the escalating conflict there.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokeman said, 20 Indian crew members were
present on the boat which came under attack of which 13 are alive and 7 are
reported missing.
The statement said, "We have seen media reports about the death of Indian
nationals in Yemen. Indian Embassy officials in Djbouti are in touch with local
contacts and we have ascertained that there were two boats one of which was
plying between Berbera (Somalia) and Mokha (Yemen).
"The boats came under aerial bombardment in the afternoon of 8 September.
The boats were carrying a total of 20 Indian crew members of which 13 are alive
and 7 are reported missing. No other information is currently available regarding
the identities of the Indian nationals.
"Embassy officials are in constant touch with local authorities and are also due
to meet with the boat owner today at which point of time more information
would be available.”
The Saudi alliance of Gulf Arab countries stepped up air strikes since Friday,
when a Houthi attack killed at 60 Saudi, Bahraini and United Arab Emirates
soldiers.
Saudi Arabian airstrikes have destroyed parts of Saana's Old City. The decades
old war between the Houthis and the ruling clique in Yemen has killed 2,584 and
wounded 11,065 this year, according to World Health Organization. The Houthis,
a reaction to age-old political corruption, claims they are no Iranian proxy.
