Pakistan condemns Houthi Red Sea attack

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemned an attack on the Tanzania-flagged commercial vessel Tihamah on Tuesday that killed three Pakistani crew members and one Indonesian, officials said. Dar said a Pakistani was also injured and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

The coastguard of Yemen said the initial strike set the Tihamah on fire and caused extensive damage, and that a second strike hit a rescue team responding to the blaze, causing further deaths and injuries, officials said. Maritime security sources also reported a separate missile strike on the Panama-flagged container ship Vela Nova off Pakistan's coast as it sailed toward the Gulf of Oman.

Tihamah attack and rescue strike

Dar said Islamabad is in contact with the relevant Saudi authorities and the internationally recognised government of Yemen to ascertain details and the circumstances of the incident. He directed Pakistan's embassy in Riyadh to coordinate immediately with authorities there, to pursue retrieval and repatriation of mortal remains, and to provide assistance to the injured, officials said.

Officials said the attacks underscore risks to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman and have prompted diplomatic and security coordination. Islamabad said it will follow up with partners and authorities as the embassy concludes its work.

Officials said further updates are expected within 48 hours as the embassy completes coordination and reporting.