Indian Embassy Assures Safety of 13 Seafarers Amid Black Sea Attacks
Hours after the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) issued an urgent appeal regarding a “life threatening” situation for 13 Indian seafarers on board a commercial vessel in the Black Sea, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine has taken note and said it is attaching the “highest priority” to the matter.
“A situation regarding M.V. AMIR1 with Indian seafarers onboard has been brought to our attention. We attach the highest priority to this and are in constant touch with all concerned to ensure safety and security of all Indians on board,” the Indian Embassy said in a social media post.
Earlier on Tuesday, the FSUI had issued an ‘Urgent Appeal’ concerning M.V. AMIR1, stating that 13 Indian sailors are among the ship’s 15 crew members who are “trapped in a terrible and life-threatening situation.”
“Repeated drone and missile attacks are being attempted in the immediate vicinity of the vessel. The crew is living under constant fear of a direct hit at any moment. We urgently appeal to all concerned authorities, ship owners, flag state, and the Government of India to immediately secure their safety and arrange prompt repatriation. Indian seafarers must not be left as sitting targets in conflict zones,” the FSUI said in a statement late Tuesday evening.
India had issued an advisory for its seafarers on July 26 against the backdrop of frequent attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Black Sea and nearby regions, which have emerged as the maritime front of the Russia-Ukraine war.
On July 18, a Ukrainian projectile hit MV OMORFI, leaving one Indian sailor dead. This was followed by the July 19 hit on MV GOLDEN LEO near the port of Odesa by projectiles fired by the Russian side, leaving ten seafarers dead, of whom four were Indians. Subsequently, MV AGN Ragnar was hit at the port of Odesa on July 25. Four Indian nationals were on board this ship, out of whom two were declared safe by the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, and two are yet to be located.
On July 22, India summoned the Russian Charge d’Affaires over the bombing of MV GOLDEN LEO, and the Ukraine Ambassador was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday over the bombing of MV OMORFI. Both sides were conveyed India’s “strong concerns” about attacks on commercial vessels.
The MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on Tuesday, said that India is the second largest supplier of seafarers in the world and sought safety and security of these sailors in conflict zones across the world.
