NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy‘s guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam — deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations — responded to a distress call from MV Merlin Luanda on the night of January 26 after a fire broke out onboard the ship.
The MV crew comprises 22 Indians and 1 Bangladeshi, the Indian Navy said on Saturday.
Based on the request from MV Merlin Luanda, INS Visakhapatnam deployed a team along with firefighting equipment to render assistance to the crew towards augmenting firefighting efforts onboard the distressed MV, the Navy said.
The MV crew comprises 22 Indians and 1 Bangladeshi, the Indian Navy said on Saturday.
Based on the request from MV Merlin Luanda, INS Visakhapatnam deployed a team along with firefighting equipment to render assistance to the crew towards augmenting firefighting efforts onboard the distressed MV, the Navy said.
It is not yet ascertained what caused the fire onboard the ship. Some reports suggest that the ship might have been hit by a missile or a drone.
Over the past few weeks, Yemen-based Houthi rebels have been behind a series of drone and missile attacks on merchant ships in the Arabian Sea region.
The incident comes just days after INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call by Marshall Island flagged MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack on January 17.
Indian Naval specialists from INS Visakhapatnam boarded the vessel to inspect the damaged area. MV Genco Picardy with 22 crew (9 Indians) reported nil casualties and a fire was brought under control.
(With inputs from agencies)