New Delhi: An Indian national was killed after a commercial cargo vessel came under attack while transiting the Black Sea, prompting India to strongly condemn the incident and raise concerns over the growing risks to civilian shipping in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the vessel, MV OMORFI, was attacked on July 18 while sailing through the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters. The ministry said one Indian crew member lost his life in the strike and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
According to the MEA, the ship had a crew of 10, including three Indian nationals. While one sailor was killed, the other two Indian crew members are reported to be safe.
Describing the attack as a matter of serious concern, India condemned strikes targeting commercial shipping and civilian seafarers. The ministry warned that increasing attacks on merchant vessels pose a significant threat to freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international trade.
The Indian mission in Russia has contacted the relevant authorities and is working to provide all possible assistance to the family of the deceased. The government also reiterated its appeal to all parties involved in the conflict to uphold international obligations and ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation.
The latest incident comes days after another attack on the Guinea Bissau flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo, which had departed from a Ukrainian port. That strike claimed the lives of four Indian crew members and left another critically injured, raising fresh concerns over the safety of civilian seafarers operating in the conflict affected Black Sea region.
The back to back attacks have intensified fears about the security of international shipping routes as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate. India has stressed the importance of protecting commercial vessels and ensuring that global maritime trade remains uninterrupted despite the ongoing conflict.
