Indian seafarer killed in ship attack in Black sea days after four Indians died in Odesa
PTC News Desk: An Indian sailor was killed after a commercial vessel was attacked while transiting the Black Sea on July 18 prompting sharp criticism from the government over attacks on commercial shipping and call for protection of civilian seafarers.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the vessel, MV Omorfi, was sailing in Russian territorial waters when it was attacked. There were 10 crew members on board, including three Indian nationals.
"One Indian national tragically lost his life in the attack. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family," the MEA said, adding that the two other Indian crew members were safe.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Embassy in Russia has contacted the concerned authorities and is providing all possible assistance to the victim's family.
India strongly condemned attacks on commercial ships and civilian crew members, saying such incidents are unacceptable. The MEA expressed concern over the growing threats to freedom of navigation and global trade, urging all sides to follow international obligations and ensure the safety of shipping routes and the uninterrupted movement of international commerce.
The latest attack comes just days after the MV Golden Leo, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship, was hit soon after leaving Ukraine's Odesa port on July 19. The vessel had 17 crew members, including five Indians. Four Indian sailors were killed, while another was critically injured in the attack.
After the Golden Leo incident, India had also condemned the strike on the commercial vessel and said its mission in Ukraine was providing assistance to the affected Indian nationals.
The Black Sea has seen a sharp increase in attacks on merchant ships in recent days after Russia and Ukraine resumed strikes on each other's maritime infrastructure following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire. Both countries have accused each other of targeting civilian vessels, with the conflict increasingly affecting key shipping routes used for grain exports, energy supplies, and global trade.
- With inputs from agencies
