4 Indians killed in missile attack on ship at Odessa port in Ukraine, India expressed strong protest

New Delhi: A very sad news has come out from Ukraine, where four Indian citizens lost their lives in a missile attack on a commercial ship leaving from Odessa port. Another Indian has been seriously injured in this attack. After the incident, the Government of India has expressed deep sorrow and strongly condemned it and has assured all possible assistance to the affected families. At the same time, the Indian Embassy is also continuously monitoring the entire matter.

The Foreign Ministry said that the attack took place on the evening of July 19 when the ship MV Golden Leo was leaving from Odessa port in Ukraine. A total of 17 crew members were present on the ship, including five Indian citizens. According to the ministry, four Indians died in this attack, while another Indian is seriously injured and is undergoing treatment.

Indian Mission is continuously helping

The Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian Mission based in Ukraine is continuously monitoring the entire incident. The team of officers is busy providing all possible assistance to the affected Indians and their families. The government has expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured Indian citizen.

India strongly condemned the attack

India has strongly criticized this attack, calling it very serious. The Ministry of External Affairs said that targeting any commercial ship and endangering the lives of civilian crew on board is completely unacceptable. India also said that any kind of obstruction to maritime trade and freedom of international navigation is condemnable and such attacks should be avoided.

Ukraine accused Russia of missile attack

Ukrainian officials say that the ship was attacked by Russian cruise missiles. According to him, this is one of the deadliest attacks in the Black Sea region in recent weeks. The Ukrainian Navy claimed that three cruise missiles were fired at the Guinea-Bissau-flagged Golden Leo ship. At that time the ship was loaded with maize and had crew members from India and Syria on board.

Long rescue operation went on after the fire

After the missile attack, a massive fire broke out in the ship. After this, search and rescue operations were started immediately, which continued throughout the night. According to Ukraine’s port authority, several people, including a sea pilot, died in the accident, while some crew members were evacuated safely. The rescue team carried out the relief operation in difficult conditions.

According to available information, the MV Golden Leo ship is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Limited. A total of 17 crew members were deployed on the ship, including five Indians. After the incident, all the facts related to the ship and the condition of the crew are being collected.

Violence increased amid Russia-Ukraine conflict

This incident has come to light at a time when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is continuously intensifying. According to the governor of Ukraine’s Odessa region, many people have lost their lives in Russian attacks this month. On the other hand, there is news of death of many people in Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod region of Russia. The number of attacks between the two countries has increased in recent days, which has further deepened tension in the entire region.