Pakistan confirms three nationals were killed and another injured after a commercial vessel came under attack in the Red Sea.
WEB DESK: Three Pakistani nationals were killed and another was injured after a commercial vessel came under attack in the Red Sea, Pakistan’s government confirmed on Wednesday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the government was closely following the situation and had been in contact with relevant authorities following the incident.
Pakistan strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel, describing it as a violation of international law and stressing the need to protect civilian shipping and seafarers.
Three Pakistani nationals among those killed
According to Pakistani officials, three Pakistanis were killed in the attack while another Pakistani national sustained injuries.
The incident involved a commercial vessel operating in the Red Sea, a major international shipping corridor connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Yemen’s government said the overall attack resulted in six deaths, while reports identified Pakistani nationals among those killed.
Pakistan closely monitoring situation
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad was closely monitoring developments and working to establish further details surrounding the incident.
Pakistan’s authorities are also in contact with relevant countries and officials regarding the Pakistani nationals affected by the attack.
The government has expressed concern over the safety of Pakistani seafarers working aboard commercial vessels operating in the region.
Red Sea shipping faces renewed risks
The attack adds to growing security concerns surrounding commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, where Houthi attacks have previously forced international shipping companies to alter routes.
The latest incident marks a serious escalation because of the reported loss of civilian crew members. Al Jazeera reported that the deaths were the first shipping fatalities linked to the Houthis since the US-Israel war on Iran began.
Pakistan has called for international law to be respected and for the safety of non-combatant commercial vessels and their crews to be protected.
Authorities are continuing to gather information about the attack, including the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injury of Pakistani nationals.
