KARACHI/SANAA - Seven Pakistani nationals have been killed in a rocket attack on a cargo ship off the coast of Yemen, according to reports in local media.

The cargo vessel, MV Joya, was en route Dubai from Egypt when it came under a rocket attack on Wednesday night. Consequently, the vessel caught fire and was drowned in Yemeni waters. There was no claim of responsibility for the attack.

All the eight members of crew of the Iranian ship were Pakistani nationals. An officer identified as Kabir is said to have saved himself by jumping off the vessel as it started sinking after catching fire.

All seven others, including Captain Aneesur Rahman, could not jump off the sinking ship and are believed to have died, Geo News reported.