The Indian Navy on Saturday responded to a distress call from British oil tanker MV Marlin Launda with 22 Indians onboard. The vessel in the Gulf of Aden was reportedly hit by missiles filed by Houthi rebels.

Navy deployed INS Visakhapatnam comprising ten Indian Naval personnel with specialist firefighting equipment which extinguished the fire after six hours of operation.

“Responding to the distress call from MV Marlin Luanda PM 26 Jan, INS Visakhapatnam proceeded to provide assistance. A US and French warship also responded to the distress call. Based on a request from the master, a firefighting team from INS Visakhapatnam comprising ten Indian Naval personnel with specialist firefighting equipment embarked on MV Marlin Luanda in the early hours of 27 January 2024,” the Indian Navy said.

The Navy said that a team is currently out there to monitor the situation to rule out the possibility of re-ignition.

“After six hours of battling the fire along with a crew of MV Marlin Luanda, the Indian Naval firefighting team successfully brought the fire under control. The team is currently monitoring the situation to rule out any possibility of re-ignition,” the Navy added.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have increased attacks on oil tankers since November last when.

Meanwhile, the British Government has said that it reserve the right to respond appropriately after its vessel was attacked.

“We are aware of reports that the M/V Marlin Luanda, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, has sustained damage from attack in the Gulf of Aden. Current reports suggest no casualties and nearby coalition vessels are on the scene. We have been clear that any attacks on commercial shipping are completely unacceptable and that the UK and our allies reserve the right to respond appropriately,” a UK government official said.