Ending days of anguish, Anilkumar Ravindran (58), who went missing following a Houthi missile attack on a Greek cargo vessel in the Red Sea, called his family on Saturday to inform them he was safe. He rang up his wife, Srija, at midnight and told her he was rescued by a group of fishermen while floating in the Red Sea and was taken to Yemen.

“He called me around 1.30 am and told me he was safe. At first, he didn’t say where he was. He thought I didn’t know about the incident. But when I told him we knew everything, he became silent for a moment and then said he was fine. Anil said he and other crew members were rescued by a fishing boat. He said he might be able to return in four to five days,” said Anilkumar’s wife, Srija.

According to Anilkumar, the crew is currently staying in a hotel, while those who were injured are undergoing treatment in a local hospital. The agency through which he received his job, Ocean Group Overseas Consultant Pvt Ltd, has informed Indian Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia, as India does not have an embassy in Yemen.

Two Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials also visited Anilkumar’s residence in Pathiyoorkala, Kayamkulam, on Friday and collected details from the family. “On July 17, a village officer, Tahsildar, and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had come home, but I couldn’t meet them as I was in Thiruvananthapuram to speak with D Augustin,” Srija added.

Augustin was the only other Malayali crew member aboard the ship. He was rescued by another vessel that responded to the distress calls and has since returned home.

“I’m extremely grateful that my husband is safe. My children and I were frantic, not knowing what to do. I have also contacted the agency in Palakkad, and they are in touch with the officials. It is through them that all the formalities will be done for his safe return. Now, I’m just waiting for him to come back home as soon as possible,” Srija said.