Indian seafarer killed in Black Sea ship attack

One Indian seafarer was killed in an attack on a cargo ship in the Black Sea, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

The incident occurred on July 18 when the merchant vessel Omorfi was transiting the sea and was reportedly in Russian territorial waters, the ministry said.

There were 10 crew members on board, including three Indians. While one Indian had died, the two others were reported to be safe.

“India unequivocally condemns such attacks targeting commercial shipping and placing the lives of innocent civilian crew members at risk,” it said. “​It is a matter of serious concern that the freedom of navigation and international commerce is facing increasing threats.”

New Delhi also called upon all stakeholders to uphold their international obligations “to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation and uninterrupted flow of global commerce”.

The ministry expressed its condolences to the family of the seafarer who had died. New Delhi said that the Indian diplomatic mission in Russia had reached out to the authorities and was making efforts to extend assistance to the family.

New Delhi did not say who it believed had attacked the ship. The incident came amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

On July 19, four Indians were killed and one critically injured after a cargo ship was attacked while it departed the port of Odesa in Ukraine.

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel Golden Leo had been attacked as it left the port. The five Indians were among the 17 crew on board the ship.

On July 21, the external affairs ministry said that it had summoned Russian chargé d’affaires to convey “India’s grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” of the attack on the vessel.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had accused Russia of attacking the vessel inside his country’s maritime corridor.

Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.

Edited by Nachiket Deuskar.