'Phone call that lasted for few seconds'; Malayali Anil Kumar in Houthi-controlled Yemen?

KAYAMKULAM: Keralite Anil Kumar, who went missing from a ship that was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, is reportedly in Yemen. It is not known whether Anil is currently under the custody of the Yemeni army or the Houthi rebels. Anil’s wife, Sreeja, informed the embassy about receiving a phone call from her husband. The number was handed over to the officials. The embassy in Saudi Arabia will work on Anil's safe return, as India currently does not have an embassy in Yemen.

As yesterday was a holiday in both countries, the steps to bring Anil Kumar home will begin today.

Anil told Sreeja on Friday that he was in Yemen and would be back home soon. He also spoke to his son Anuj in a phone call that lasted only a few moments. Although his daughter Anagha wanted to talk, the call got cut abruptly. On the 7th of this month, eleven people, including security officer Anil Kumar, went missing after a ship sank in a grenade attack in the Red Sea.

Central Intelligence Bureau officials and the Karthikappally Tehsildar had earlier visited Anil's house to collect information. The embassy in Saudi Arabia informed Anil Kumar's family ten days after the accident.

There were 25 people on the ship. Three died during the attack. One was critically injured. The remaining 21 jumped into the sea. Of these, ten, including Augustine, a native of Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram, were brought ashore by rescue workers. It is reported that those, including Anil Kumar, jumped into the sea wearing jackets, but they could not be traced after the waves changed course.