Indian Navy helps oil tanker on fire in Gulf of Aden

New Delhi: Responding swiftly to a distress call, the Indian Navy's warship INS Visakhapatnam moved to aid the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Marlin Luanda, which was engulfed in flames in the Gulf of Aden. The tanker, carrying Russian naphtha, had come under attack from an anti-ship ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen-controlled areas. The vessel, operated by a UK-based company, had a crew of 22 Indians and one Bangladeshi on board.

This marks the third incident where the Indian Navy has intervened to assist a merchant ship targeted by Houthi rebels. The Houthi rebels, based in Yemen, have been using drones and missiles to target commercial shipping in the Arabian and Red Seas in support of the Palestinians.

Responding to the Houthi attacks, both the US and the UK have initiated retaliatory airstrikes across Yemen against Houthi forces. The Marlin Luanda incident adds to the escalating tensions in the region.

INS Visakhapatnam, a guided missile destroyer deployed in the Gulf of Aden, promptly answered the distress call from MV Marlin Luanda on January 26 night, according to the Indian Navy. Following the request from the distressed vessel, INS Visakhapatnam dispatched its Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence (NBCD) team along with firefighting equipment to assist the crew in augmenting firefighting efforts onboard the stricken tanker.

The Indian Navy affirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding merchant vessels and ensuring the safety of lives at sea. The response by INS Visakhapatnam underscores the readiness and responsiveness of the Indian Navy in the face of maritime emergencies.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command released a statement confirming the Houthi attack on January 26, where an anti-ship ballistic missile struck the Marlin Luanda. The vessel issued a distress call, reporting damage. In response, USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships are rendering assistance. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported at this time, the US Central Command said.