Bucharest: Once again, a ship operating at sea has been targeted. Two foreign crew members were killed in an attack on a commercial ship in the Black Sea, while three Indian crew members survived. Medical assistance is being provided to three Indian crew members.
According to the Indian Embassy in Romania, the vessel MV ROYAD MAMMADOV was attacked in the Black Sea, injuring several crew members who were shifted to Romania for medical treatment. The embassy later confirmed that the three Indian nationals were safe. One of them was injured and is undergoing treatment. The embassy said the hospital is in constant contact with officials.
Indian Ambassador to Romania Manoj Mohapatra spoke to three Indian nationals admitted to Constanta County Hospital. The chief physician of the hospital informed him that all were in good condition and receiving the necessary medical care. The Indian mission said it was in touch with the hospital and authorities concerned and that all possible assistance was being provided to the Indian crew members.
The incident comes at a time when there are growing concerns about the safety of commercial shipping along major sea lanes, including the Black Sea, Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also called attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers completely unacceptable in the United Nations General Assembly.
During his speech at the 81st United Nations General Assembly last week, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over attacks on commercial ships and sailors. “New challenges in the maritime domain have intensified old challenges on land. From the Gulf and the Red Sea to the Black Sea, there have been attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers. Indian seafarers have lost their lives, and seafarers from other countries have also lost their lives. This is completely unacceptable,” Jaishankar told the UN Assembly.
Jaishankar also said that India has joined an international coalition with Liberia and 23 partner countries to mobilize public opinion worldwide and protect commercial shipping lanes. “We must ensure that the safety of shipping and seafarers is never compromised. Full compliance with international law is an essential part of this endeavour,” said Jaishankar. He also called for immediate restraint and de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf region to ensure the safety of citizens and uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and global trade.