A ship near Yemen’s Ras Al-‘Issa port came under a drone attack, sparking a massive fire onboard and endangering the lives of 24 Pakistani crew members.
According to diplomatic sources, the vessel, which was traveling from Tehran to Yemen carrying oil, was hit during the assault. The resulting blaze has yet to be fully controlled, raising fears for the safety of those onboard.
Initially, the crew was evacuated temporarily. However, they were later forced back onto the burning ship without proper firefighting equipment, leaving them at serious risk. The stranded crew has urgently appealed to local rescue agencies and the Government of Pakistan for immediate intervention and assistance.
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The incident comes amid escalating regional tensions. Israeli missile attacks against Yemen’s Houthi rebels are frequent, with the Ansar Allah movement — also known as the Houthis — responding by launching retaliatory strikes on Tel Aviv following Israel’s operations in Gaza.
Earlier this year, the United States also supported Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s ports, oil refineries, and other critical infrastructure. However, President Donald Trump later directed a halt to American strikes on the Houthis.
The current crisis highlights the dangerous environment for seafarers in the region and the urgent need for coordinated rescue efforts to protect Pakistani crew members trapped in life-threatening conditions.
