Indian National Dies in Black Sea Ship Attack; MEA Condemns Violence

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that an Indian national onboard a commercial vessel in the Black Sea has died. The vessel, MV OMORFI, came under attack on July 18 while transiting the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters, according to a late-night statement from the MEA.

At the time of the attack, 10 crew members were onboard, including three Indian nationals. The MEA expressed deepest condolences to the bereaved family, noting that one Indian tragically lost his life. The other two Indian nationals are reported to be safe.

Describing the incident as a matter of serious concern, the MEA unequivocally condemned the attack, stating: 'India unequivocally condemns such attacks targeting commercial shipping and placing the lives of innocent civilian crew members at risk. It is a matter of serious concern that the freedom of navigation and international commerce is facing increasing threats.'

The Indian mission in Russia has reached out to relevant authorities and is making efforts to extend all possible assistance to the affected family. The MEA called upon all concerned parties to uphold international obligations to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation and uninterrupted flow of global commerce.

This attack follows a similar incident on July 19, when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo was attacked shortly after leaving a Ukrainian port. In that attack, four Indian crew members were killed and one critically injured. These strikes come amid renewed tensions between Russia and Ukraine, elevating concerns about the safety of seafarers in the region.