The Indian Navy rescued 38 Indian nationals stranded on the Yemeni island of Socotra on 3 June. The Indians, all of whom are seafarers, were left stranded in the aftermath of cyclone Mekuni which moved over the Arabian Sea.
The Navy launched Operation Nistar and diverted patrol vessel INS Sunayna on Saturday from west Arabian Sea towards the island to evacuate the stranded seafarers.
INS Sunayna reached the island on Sunday and immediately launched rescue mission. Though inclement weather hampered progress of the operation earlier in the day, evacuation was completed as the weather improved.
The Navy said that all 38 Indians were evacuated from Habidoh port in Socotra and brought on board INS Sunayna using Rubberised Inflatable Boats (RHIBs).
The ship is now headed for Porbandar in Gujarat where the evacuated people will disembark.
Watch a video of the rescue operation below:
Video of embarkation of stranded seafarers onboard INS Sunana off Socotra pic.twitter.com/Qf2387Qtph
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 3, 2018