Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao on Monday appreciated the Saudi Coast Guard for saving the lives of six Indian sailors and also thanked Saudi authorities for launching the rescue operation.
Sibi George, the deputy chief of mission, Indian Embassy, said: “The ambassador today formally conveyed his gratitude to the authorities of the Kingdom for saving the lives of six Indian citizens by rescuing them from the sea near Jubail.”
Rao, in a formal note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed his personal appreciation and gratitude to the Saudi Coast Guard for their prompt action in rescuing the Indians affected.
The six Indian nationals — Hussain Sali Mohammad, Mubeen Suleman, Noor Mohammed Qasim, Ayyub Jhons Nas, Haroon Rasheed and Uthman Ayyub — were rescued on Nov. 5 when the boat they were traveling in caught fire and capsized.
“The Saudi authorities rescued and gave them hospitality. When the embassy received information about the rescue, two officials from the embassy in Riyadh visited Jubail to meet the Indian citizens and to provide them with all support including travel documents and air tickets. They traveled to India on Nov 16,” Rao said in a statement later.
The ambassador also thanked the volunteers registered with the Indian Embassy who met the rescued Indians and provided them with assistance. According to reports, the Saudi Coast Guard unit rescued six Indian sailors whose wooden boat caught fire and sank in the Gulf while it was heading for Iraq with a cargo of goods from the UAE.
Coast guard patrols swung into action when they received an SOS message from the boat off the eastern coast surveillance team and immediately rushed to the area where the boat was sinking.
Envoy lauds Saudi Coast Guard for rescuing 6 Indians
