INS Visakhapatnam, deployed on a mission in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations, promptly responded to a distress call from the Marshall Island-flagged MV Genco Picardy following a drone attack on Wednesday night.

The Indian Navy ship effectively intercepted the vessel, and no casualties were reported on MV Genco Picardy, which had 22 crew members, including 9 Indians, and had caught fire due to a drone attack.

"INS Visakhapatnam acknowledged the distress call and intercepted the vessel at 0030 hrs on January 18 to provide assistance to MV Genco Picardy. The vessel, with 22 crew members (including 9 Indians), reported nil casualties, and the fire is under control," stated the Indian Navy in a release.

"Indian Naval EOD specialists from INS Visakhapatnam boarded the vessel in the early hours of January 18, 2024, to inspect the damaged area. After a thorough inspection, the EOD specialists have rendered the area safe for further transit. The vessel is now proceeding to its next port of call," the statement read.

The Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy are led by INS Visakhapatnam, the inaugural ship of the class. Commissioned on November 21, 2021, it stands as one of the largest destroyers currently in active service within the Indian Navy.

Source: India Today