Indian seafarers trapped under attack in Black Sea, union appeals for rescue

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has reported that 13 Indian seafarers are among 15 crew members aboard the vessel M.V. AMIR1, which is currently docked at the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk. According to the union, the ship is under heavy attack from repeated drone and missile strikes in its immediate vicinity, placing the crew in a “terrible and life-threatening situation.” The crew is living in constant fear of a direct hit, the union said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

The FSUI has urgently appealed to all concerned authorities, including shipowners, the flag state, and the Government of India, to take immediate steps to secure the safety of the crew and arrange for their prompt repatriation. The union’s appeal comes amidst ongoing hostilities in the Black Sea region, which have intensified in recent days.

In a separate incident on July 25, the Palau-flagged general cargo ship AGN RAGNAR was reportedly attacked by three drones while exiting the Bystre Mouth of the Danube River into the Black Sea. During the attack, two Indian nationals—Chandra Ram Dubey and Gupta Kumar Deepak, both employed as ordinary seamen—jumped overboard and remain missing. Search operations have been called off due to continued attacks, according to reports. The remaining seven crew members, including two other Indian nationals, along with the pilot, were safely evacuated ashore by the Ukrainian Coast Guard.

The incidents highlight the ongoing dangers faced by merchant vessels navigating the Black Sea amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The region has seen numerous attacks on commercial shipping, with crew members from various countries, including India, often caught in the crossfire. The Indian government has previously worked to secure the release and repatriation of its citizens stranded in conflict zones. As of now, no official response from the Government of India on the latest developments has been reported.