INS Kochi Responds To Houthi Attack On Oil Tanker In Red Sea, Crew Including 22 Indians Safe

INS Kochi, a naval destroyer of the Indian Navy, swiftly responded to a distress call from the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MV Andromeda Star, which was reportedly attacked in the Red Sea on April 26, 2024. According to an official statement from the Indian Navy, an aerial reconnaissance mission was conducted by a helicopter to assess the situation, following which an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed onboard the MV Andromeda Star to assess any residual risks.

All 30 crew members, including 22 Indian nationals, are reported safe, and the vessel is proceeding with its scheduled journey to the next port.

“A total of 30 crew (including 22 Indian nationals) are reported to be safe and the vessel is continuing its scheduled transit to the next port. The swift action of the IN ship reiterates the commitment and resolve of the Indian Navy in safeguarding the seafarers plying through the region,” the Navy stated.

Houthis Resume Targeting Ships Linked To US, Israel, UK In Red Sea

According to a report by news agency Reuters, the attack on the MV Andromeda Star was claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who stated that their missiles targeted the tanker as part of their ongoing support for Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. Confirmation of the attack came from the U.S. Central Command, which attributed the incident to Iran-backed Houthi militants launching three anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen, resulting in minor damage to the Andromeda Star. The ship’s master reported the damage, as confirmed by British maritime security firm Ambrey.

Although one missile landed near another vessel, the MV Maisha, it reportedly suffered no damage. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed that the Andromeda Star was British-owned, but shipping data indicates recent ownership changes, with the current owner registered in Seychelles. The vessel, engaged in trade associated with Russia, was en route from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India, at the time of the attack, the report stated.

Houthi militants have been launching drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea and surrounding areas since November, leading to concerns about the impact on shipping routes and the potential for destabilization in the Middle East. This attack on the Andromeda Star marked a resumption of the Houthis’ targeting of ships with connections to Israel, the United States, and Britain, following a brief hiatus. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which had been providing assistance to a U.S.-led coalition protecting commercial shipping, exited the Red Sea via the Suez Canal on Friday.

In a separate incident, the Houthis claimed responsibility for downing an American MQ-9 drone in Yemen’s Saada province airspace on Friday.