Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry has clarified reports that an Indonesian citizen died after an attack on the MV Tihamah near the Bab Al Mandab Strait.
Heni Hamidah, director of Indonesian Citizen Protection at the Foreign Ministry, said Thursday, August 13, that the crew member remains officially classified as missing.
“One crew member has still not been found. Relevant parties continue intensive search and rescue efforts in the area,” Heni said during a press conference in Jakarta.
She said Yemen’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the status through a diplomatic note received Thursday morning.
The Indonesian government will continue efforts to protect the crew members. It will also prepare their return to Indonesia once conditions allow.
Foreign media had previously reported that three crew members died following the attack on the MV Tihamah earlier this week. One of those reportedly killed was an Indonesian citizen.
The vessel carried 11 crew members, including eight Pakistani citizens and three Indonesians. Two Indonesian crew members survived the incident but suffered injuries.
“Two crew members were confirmed safe. One received medical treatment, and both are now in stable condition,” Heni said.
The Bab Al Mandab Strait connects the Gulf of Aden with the Red Sea and serves as a major shipping route between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the region, including the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran and continued attacks involving Houthi forces.
For now, Indonesian authorities continue to classify the missing crew member as missing, not confirmed dead, while search operations remain underway.
