This Article is From Sep 11, 2015

6 of 7 Indians Reported Missing in Yemen Found Dead: External Ministry

6 of 7 Indians Reported Missing in Yemen Found Dead: External Ministry

Yemen is facing a humanitarian criris, caught in an armed conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi resistance.

New Delhi: Six of the seven Indians reported missing in Yemen after their cargo boats were hit by Saudi-led warplanes have been found dead, confirmed the Ministry of External Affairs.

Two boats, 'Mustafa' and 'Asmar', carrying a total of 21 Indian nationals, came under aerial attack on September 8.

"It is now regrettably informed that late at night on 10 September, the bodies of six of the missing persons present on the two boats were recovered and were brought to the Military Hospital. The families of the deceased have been informed, and their verbal consent has been taken for appropriate funeral rites to be performed in Hodeidah as per religious practises," MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Mr Swarup confirmed that of the remaining 15 Indians on the two boats, "14 are safe in Hodeidah, and of these four are undergoing treatment in a local hospital. All the 14 are in regular touch with their families".

He added that rescue teams were working with the local authorities to locate the one person who is still missing.

Some media reports, quoting residents and fishermen, on Tuesday had claimed that at least 20 Indian nationals were killed in air strikes by Saudi-led coalition forces on fuel smugglers at Hodeidah port. The reported were refuted by the External Ministry.

India does not have an Embassy in Yemen which was shut down in April after evacuation of its nationals.
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