Islamabad — Pakistan’s diplomatic sources have confirmed that at least 24 Pakistani crew members, including the captain, are stranded aboard a cargo vessel that recently came under attack near Yemen. Fortunately, no casualties among the Pakistani nationals have been reported so far.

According to officials, the ship — carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Iran’s Bandar Abbas port to Yemen — was attacked by drones nearly 10 days ago. While the crew managed to avoid fatalities, they have since been trapped on board under extremely difficult conditions, with Houthi fighters reportedly present on the ship.

The Pakistani crew released a video appeal earlier, confirming the drone strike and pleading with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Director General Ports and Shipping for immediate intervention. In the footage, the visibly distressed crew members claimed they were not being allowed to leave the vessel, adding that they feared for their safety as the ship remains in a conflict zone. They urged authorities to negotiate safe passage so the vessel could be moved to Djibouti, a neutral and safer port.

Diplomatic sources revealed that the vessel is currently not in an area controlled by the Yemeni government, complicating rescue and evacuation efforts. However, the Pakistani government has assured that all possible measures are being taken to secure the safe return of its nationals. “We are actively engaging relevant regional and international stakeholders to ensure the safe evacuation of our citizens,” said an official source.

The incident highlights the growing risks faced by seafarers in Middle Eastern waters, particularly near Yemen’s conflict-hit coast, where commercial shipping routes have repeatedly been targeted. Attacks on merchant vessels have intensified in recent years, raising concerns about maritime security, freedom of navigation, and the safety of international crews.

For Pakistan, the situation underscores the vulnerability of its large seafaring workforce, many of whom serve on foreign-flagged ships in volatile waters. With the stranded sailors now appealing directly to Islamabad for help, pressure is mounting on the government to act swiftly before the situation worsens.