New Delhi: India on Thursday welcomed the release of Anilkumar Raveendran, a 52-year-old Indian crew member and Army veteran from Kayamkulam, Kerala, who had been held captive by Houthi rebels in Yemen since July 7.

Raveendran, a native of Pathiyoor, was serving as a security officer aboard the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel MV Eternity C, which was attacked and eventually sunk in the Red Sea amid escalating Houthi assaults on international shipping during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced his release, saying, "Government of India welcomes the release of Indian crew member Mr Anilkumar Raveendran, who was on the ship MV Eternity C and under detention in Yemen since 07 July 2025."

Raveendran reached Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday and is expected to return to India shortly. The MEA confirmed that the government "had been coordinating efforts with various parties to ensure his safe release and return," and expressed gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for facilitating the operation.

The MV Eternity C, en route to the Israeli port of Eilat, had crew members from India, the Philippines, Russia, and Greece. Four crew members were killed during the attack, while six, including Augustin from Parassala, Thiruvananthapuram, were rescued by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and repatriated within a week. Eleven crew members, including Raveendran, remained in captivity until his release.

Raveendran joined the shipping company five years ago through the Palakkad-based Ocean Group Overseas Consultancy. Before entering the maritime sector, he served 19 years in the Indian Army.