Keralite Goes Missing After Houthi Attack on Cargo Ship in Red Sea

Swift Summary

• A Keralite named Anilkumar Raveendran, aged 52, is missing after a cargo vessel sank in the Red Sea following an attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on July 7.
• The vessel, MV Eternity C, was en route to israel’s Eilat port and had 25 crew members onboard from India, the Philippines, Russia, and Greece.
• The attack killed four crew members; ten (including another Keralite named Augustine) were rescued, while eleven others remain missing.
• Family members have not heard from Mr. Anilkumar as his last phone call on July 6 and fear he might potentially be in Houthi custody after reportedly jumping into the sea along with others during the attack.
• Mr. Anilkumar served in the Indian army for 19 years before retiring and joining the shipping firm as a security officer.
• His family has appealed to both Union and State governments for help locating him.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The incident highlights significant geopolitical risks impacting maritime operations near conflict zones such as Yemen’s Red Sea waters. For India, this underscores vulnerabilities faced by it’s citizens working aboard international vessels traversing volatile regions-a growing concern for Indian seafarers given increasing security threats due to global conflicts.

The involvement of a former indian Army officer like Mr. Anilkumar emphasizes how skilled personnel transitioning into civilian industries can still face risky situations abroad. India’s diplomatic channels may need active intervention here not only to locate missing individuals but also address broader concerns regarding safety protocols in high-risk shipping routes.

While families continue demanding government support, forging robust international collaborations could be instrumental in ensuring quicker responses during such crises involving foreign nationals across borders.Published – July 17, 2025

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