Pakistani sailors return home after surviving Houthi attack—FM

Six Pakistani sailors injured in a Houthi attack on a Tanzanian-flagged commercial vessel have safely returned to Pakistan, while the remains of two Pakistani sailors killed in the incident have also been repatriated, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said.

Dar said Pakistani authorities had coordinated the sailors’ return and the repatriation of the victims’ remains, with diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia playing a key role despite the absence of a Pakistani diplomatic mission in Yemen.

The six Pakistani sailors injured in the recent Houthi attack on a Tanzanian-flagged commercial vessel have safely returned to Pakistan, while the mortal remains of the two Pakistani sailors who tragically lost their lives have also been repatriated.

All relevant stakeholders…

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) August 20, 2026

“The six Pakistani sailors injured in the recent Houthi attack on a Tanzanian-flagged commercial vessel have safely returned to Pakistan, while the mortal remains of the two Pakistani sailors who tragically lost their lives have also been repatriated.

All relevant stakeholders have been directed to ensure their safe, dignified and expeditious repatriation. I commend the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah and our Embassy in Riyadh for their prompt and dedicated efforts in facilitating the return of the injured and repatriation of the bodies from Yemen and onward travel to Pakistan, in the absence of a Pakistani diplomatic mission in Yemen. I also appreciate the efforts of all relevant stakeholders, including the FIA, in facilitating their smooth arrival and onward arrangements in Pakistan.

I deeply appreciate the cooperation extended by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the medical assistance and arrangements provided in Jeddah.

Pakistan condemns the attack in the strongest terms and reiterates that the safety and security of seafarers must be ensured at all times. We remain committed to extending all possible assistance to the injured sailors and the bereaved families.” Dar said in a post on X.

By Vafa Guliyeva