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MEA disputes reports: 13 Indians alive, seven missing in Yemen

by IBNS 08 Sep 2015, 09:28 pm

New Delhi, Sept 9 (IBNS) At least seven out of 20 Indian crew members are missing after their boats came under aerial bombardment while plying between Somalia and Yemen, External Affairs Ministry said on Wednesday.

Earlier, media reports said at least 20 Indians were killed were killed in air strikes by Saudi-led coalition forces at Yemen's Hodeidah port.

Disputing the report, the MEA said 13 Indians crew members "are alive and 7 are reported missing".

"We have seen media reports about the death of Indian nationals in Yemen. Indian Embassy officials in Djbouti are in touch with local contacts and we have ascertained that there were two boats one of which was plying between Berbera (Somalia) and Mokha (Yemen)," a spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry  said.

The boats carrying a total of 20 Indian crew members came under aerial bombardment in the afternoon of September eight.

No information has yet been received on the identities of the Indian nationals.

MEA said embassy officials are in touch with local authorities and are due to meet with the boat owner to gather more information.