ISLAMABAD: Three Pakistanis were killed and another injured in a Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Wednesday, as Pakistan sought further details from Saudi and Yemeni authorities.
The attack targeted the Tihamah, a Tanzania-flagged commercial vessel, and killed four crew members, including three Pakistanis and an Indonesian national. The vessel caught fire and sustained extensive damage, while another strike was reported as rescue teams were working to evacuate the crew.
Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the attack, saying strikes against commercial vessels endanger civilian lives and threaten freedom of navigation, maritime security and the safety of international shipping.
“Such attacks endanger innocent lives, constitute a violation of international law, and pose a serious threat to freedom of navigation, maritime security, and the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea,” Dar said in a post on X.
I have learnt with deep concern about the unfortunate incident involving an attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea. According to the information available so far, three Pakistani nationals have lost their lives and one has sustained injuries in the incident. We extend our…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) August 12, 2026
Ishaq Dar said the Pakistani government was in contact with relevant Saudi authorities and the internationally recognized government of Yemen to gather further information and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Read More: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirm support for regional peace after Houthi Attacks
He also directed the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh to coordinate with the authorities concerned and pursue necessary measures for the retrieval and repatriation of the deceased Pakistanis, while ensuring all possible assistance for the injured Pakistani national.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Dar said, reiterating Pakistan’s condemnation of the attack on what he described as a noncombatant commercial vessel.
The deputy prime minister said Islamabad was closely monitoring the situation and would remain in contact with the concerned authorities as more details emerge.
The attack came amid heightened tensions around key maritime routes in the region, with other commercial vessels also reportedly coming under attack in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman.
Pakistan has previously warned that any attack on its maritime interests would be treated as a serious matter. Islamabad has also backed regional efforts to strengthen maritime security and protect commercial and energy shipping routes.
The latest attack has renewed concerns over the safety of Pakistani nationals working aboard commercial vessels and the risks facing international shipping in the region.
