Indian authorities are in touch with their Ukrainian counterparts to ensure the safety of 13 Indian seafarers on board a merchant ship anchored at the Black Sea port of Chornomorsk, which has faced several Russian drone and missile attacks in recent days.
Event Context
After the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) shared a brief video of smoke billowing over the Ukrainian port near MV Amir1 on Wednesday, the Indian embassy in Kyiv said it was aware of the situation involving the Tanzania-flagged cargo vessel and is taking steps to ensure the safety of Indian crew members.
MV Amir1, which has a crew of 13 Indians and two Iranians, has been anchored at Chornomorsk port since July 8.
“A situation regarding MV Amir1 with Indian seafarers onboard has been brought to our attention. We attach the highest priority to this and are in constant touch with all concerned to ensure safety and security of all Indians onboard,” the Indian embassy in Kyiv said on social media without giving details.
The FSUI said on social media that the Amir1’s 15-member crew was “trapped in a terrible and life-threatening situation”.
Match Outlook
“Repeated drone and missile attacks are being attempted in the immediate vicinity of the vessel. The crew is living under constant fear of a direct hit at any moment,” the FSUI said.
Also Read:India coordinates with Ukrainian authorities in search for 2 missing seafarers
The union appealed to “authorities, shipowners, flag state, and the government of India to immediately secure” the safety of the crew and arrange their prompt repatriation.
“Indian seafarers must not be left as sitting targets in conflict zones,” FSUI general secretary Manoj Yadav said.
“The crew has been there for 20 days and they have said there have been several explosions. They are very worried about their safety,” he said.
Yadav noted there had been a sudden uptick in attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea over the past few weeks. “It is almost as if people have seen how attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz attract international attention and they’re using the same tactics in the Black Sea,” he said.
Five Indian seafarers have died and two more reported missing following recent Russian and Ukrainian attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea. About half a dozen seafarers have been killed in attacks on merchant shipping in the Persian Gulf since February.
India has summoned senior diplomats of Iran, the US, Russia and Ukraine to protest against these attacks and called for an end to the targeting of seafarers, merchant vessels and civilian infrastructure during conflicts.
