Indian Navy rescues 38 stranded Indians from Socotra island of Yemen

The Indian Navy evacuated 38 Indians stranded for 10 days on the Socotra island in Yemen.

A severe cyclonic storm, Mekenu, hit the Socotra island on May 24, leaving the 38 Indians stranded on the island, with limited food and water.

Indian naval ship Sunayna, currently deployed on a mission based deployment in the Gulf of Aden was pressed into action to evacuate the 38 Indian nationals from Socotra.

INS Sunayna, was diverted for the evacuation operation, code-named NISTAR, after the navy received a distress call from the director general of shipping and the Indian Sailing Vessels Association.

Three Indian dhows at Socotra had suffered damages and another dhow, MSV Safina Al Khijar with 12 Indians on board was reported missing.The Indian Navy undertook two aerial sorties on May 27 and 28 to search for 18 missing Indians.

“The evacuated Indians were embarked onboard and immediately provided with medical care, food, water and telephone facilities to call and reassure their families at home. All 38 have been reported to be safe. Post evacuation, the ship would be proceeding towards Porbandar to disembark the Indians ashore,” the Navy said.

(PHOTO INPUT :- FACEBOOK/INDIANNAVY )