New Delhi/Kyiv: Two Indian mariners are missing after a merchant vessel was struck by projectiles allegedly fired by Russia at the Ukrainian port of Odesa on Saturday.
According to the the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, MV AGN Ragnar, was carrying four Indian nationals – of whom two were reported to be safe. The identities of the four Indians have not been disclosed as yet.
Search and rescue operations for the missing Indians are underway, and Indian officials are in touch with concerned authorities, the Embassy said in post on X.
“Four Indian nationals were on board the vessel. As per the latest information, two have been confirmed safe, and information is awaited regarding the other two nationals,” it posted.
The Embassy also shared emergency contact details for those requiring consular assistance, including the emergency phone number +380 93 355 9958, and the email addresses – cons.kyiv@mea.gov.in and cons1.kyiv@mea.gov.in.
The MV AGN Ragnar is a 89.9 metre general cargo vessel sailing under the Palau flag. The Ukrainian port of Odesa has frequently come under drone attacks since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, NDTV reported.
Four Indian seamen were killed and another suffered serious injuries after Russia attacked the MV Golden Leo off Odesa on July 19. The ship had 17 crew members, including five Indians.
Russia has claimed that the ship was carrying weapons for Ukraine. India, however, insisted that it had loaded grain from Odesa.
India has strongly condemned the attack, saying targeting commercial shipping and endangering civilian crew, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and trade, was “deplorable and should be avoided.”
The Ministry of External Affairs has also advised citizens to carefully assess the security situation before taking up employment in conflict-hit maritime zones – especially in the Black Sea region.
“Indian nationals intending to undertake employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected region are advised to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments,” the advisory read.
