New Delhi: India has strongly condemned attacks on three commercial vessels in the Black Sea, calling for an immediate end to incidents targeting civilian shipping and seafarers.
The vessels involved were the Palau-flagged Able, Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio and Togo-flagged Alfa Watan. India has confirmed that 31 Indian crew members aboard two of the affected vessels have been rescued, while one Indian national sustained injuries.
The Able was carrying 18 crew members, including seven Indian nationals, when it came under attack. One of the Indian crew members was injured in the incident. The entire crew was evacuated with assistance from Bulgarian authorities and taken to Varna, where the injured Indian national is receiving medical treatment.
India expressed its appreciation for the assistance provided by Bulgarian authorities in evacuating and supporting the crew members following the attack.
The Aframax Rio, which was also targeted, had 23 crew members on board, all of whom were Indian nationals. All 23 have been rescued. Further details about their condition were not immediately available.
The third vessel, Alfa Watan, also came under attack in the Black Sea. Information regarding its crew was still awaited.
The attacks have raised fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping operating in the strategically important Black Sea region. India said such incidents were a matter of serious concern and stressed that civilian vessels, seafarers and infrastructure must not become targets.
New Delhi reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of attacks on commercial shipping, emphasising the need to protect civilian lives and maintain peace and stability in the region.
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