MEA condemns attacks on seafarers in Black Sea, says targeting of shipping must end | India News
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday condemned a string of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region, including ships carrying Indian seafarers. India called for an immediate end to attacks that threaten commercial shipping and endanger the lives of seafarers.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was monitoring the situation and assisting Indian nationals affected by the attacks.“We have seen a string of attacks in the Black Sea region in the last one or two days. We condemn such attacks that threaten commercial shipping and endanger the lives of our seafaring community,” Jaiswal said at a bi-weekly media briefing.Jaiswal said the commercial vessel MV Royad Mammadov came under attack while sailing in the Black Sea. Three Indian nationals were on board, all of whom were safe, though one was injured and receiving medical treatment.“We condemn such attacks that threaten commercial shipping and endanger, first, the commercial vessel MV Royad Mammadov came under attack while it was sailing in the Black Sea. There were three Indian nationals on board. All of them are safe, but one of them got injured and is receiving medical treatment. We thank Romanian authorities for lending a helping hand in this particular incident,” Jaiswal said.“The second ship that came under attack was Alfa Watan. This is a Togo-flagged ship. It came under attack yesterday and the fate of its crew is unknown at this point.”He further mentioned that another vessel, the Palau-flagged Able, came under a drone attack, but all 18 crew members, including seven Indian nationals, were rescued. “One Indian national has been injured and is receiving medical assistance and supervision,” he said, thanking Bulgarian authorities for their timely help. Jaiswal added that the Indian mission in Sofia was offering “all possible assistance” to the country’s seafarers.“The fourth ship, as I earlier said, that came under attack. This is a Liberian-flagged oil tanker Aframax Rio. All the crew members are Indian nationals. All 23 crew members on board this particular ship are Indian nationals and all of them have been rescued”, Jaiswal said.Bulgaria’s prime minister had said on Tuesday two commercial vessels were struck by drones on Tuesday in the first such attack on shipping in the Nato member’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
“This is an unacceptable attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. It is a blatant violation of international law and maritime law,” he said.Jaiswal said India would continue to assist affected seafarers and reiterated its call for de-escalation.“We once again reiterate our calls for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions. The targeting of shipping seafarers in the region must end and free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways must be restored at the earliest”, the spokesperson said.
