Indian Navy responds to drone attack on a merchant vessel in Red Sea

New Delhi: In response to a distress call by Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack at 23:11 hrs on Jan 17, 2024, INS Visakhapatnam, a mission deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations, has responded swiftly.

The development comes as Yemen’s Houthi rebels disrupt commercial shipping trade routes citing solidarity with Palestine.

Sharing details, the Indian Navy said, “INS Visakhapatnam, undertaking anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden, acknowledged the distress call and intercepted the vessels at 0030 hrs on Jan 18, 2024, in order to provide assistance.”

MV Genco Picardy, the merchant vessel with 22 crew (nine Indians) reported nil casualties and fire under control, added the Indian Navy. The merchant vessel was attacked 60 nautical miles South of Port Aden.

In the early hours of Jan 18, Indian Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists (EOD) specialists from INS Visakhapatnam boarded the vessel to inspect the damaged area. And after a thorough inspection, the EOD specialists have rendered the area safe for further transit. According to the Indian Navy, the vessel is now proceeding to the next port of call.

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