India Demands Release Of Crew Members On Seized Uae-flagged Vessel

NEW DELHI, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- India has demanded the immediate release of seven Indian crew members on a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged cargo vessel hijacked recently by Yemen's Houthi forces. T.S. Tirumurti, India's ambassador to the United Nations, said in a statement on Wednesday the seizure of the ship "Rawabi" off the coast of Hudaydah has further exacerbated the Yemen conflict and threatens maritime security in the region. "Seven Indian nationals are among the crew members on board the ship and we are deeply concerned about their safety and well-being. We urge the Houthis to immediately release the crew members and the vessel," he said. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier said it was in touch with the company operating the Emirati ship. The vessel, manned by a crew of 11, was hijacked on January 2 while sailing from Yemen's Socotra island to the port of Jizan in Saudi Arabia. The other four sailors are reportedly from Ethiopia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar. -- BERNAMA