Arya News - A union-shared video purportedly showed smoke near the cargo ship as the recent Black Sea attacks pushed the Indian seafarer death toll to five and left two others missing.
NEW DELHI – India has begun coordinating with authorities over the safety of 13 Indian seafarers aboard a cargo vessel at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port, where a maritime union says repeated drone and missile attacks nearby have placed the crew in grave danger.
The Embassy of India in Ukraine said on Wednesday that the situation involving MV AMIR1 had been brought to its attention and the safety of the Indian nationals remained its “highest priority”.
“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 the safety and security of all Indians onboard,” the embassy said in a post on X.
The mission did not specify the number of Indians aboard or disclose whether arrangements were being made to evacuate them.
Union seeks evacuation of MV AMIR1 crew
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India said MV AMIR1 had 15 crew members aboard, including 13 Indians, and remained stranded at the Ukrainian Black Sea port.
The union described the situation as “terrible and life-threatening” and appealed to the Indian government, the shipowner, the vessel’s flag state and other authorities to arrange the crew’s evacuation and repatriation.
“M.V. AMIR1, currently at Ukrainian port Chornomorsk with 15 crew on board, including 13 Indian seafarers, is trapped in a terrible and life-threatening situation,” the FSUI said.
It claimed that drone and missile attacks were taking place in the immediate vicinity of the vessel.
“The crew is living under constant fear of a direct hit at any moment,” the union said.
Video shows smoke rising near vessel
The FSUI also shared a video purportedly recorded from the ship. The footage appeared to show thick smoke rising from areas near the vessel.
The union warned that the risk to the crew was increasing as the ship remained in the conflict zone and urged authorities not to leave the seafarers as “sitting targets”.
Five Indian seafarers killed since July 18
The latest alarm comes after at least five Indian seafarers were killed in separate attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea region within days.
MV OMORFI was attacked on July 18 while transiting the Black Sea in reported Russian territorial waters. The vessel had three Indian nationals among its 10-member crew. One Indian was killed, and the other two were reported safe.
India later summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador to New Delhi and conveyed its “serious concern” over the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned attacks on commercial shipping and warned of their impact on maritime safety, freedom of navigation and international commerce.
On July 19, MV Golden Leo was struck near Ukraine’s Odesa port, killing four Indian seafarers. New Delhi summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires and lodged a strong protest over the deaths.
The MEA later said the vessel was carrying grain, rejecting claims that it was transporting military cargo.
Two Indians remain missing after MV AGN Ragnar strike
Another merchant vessel, MV AGN Ragnar, was struck at Ukraine’s Port of Odesa on July 25 with four Indian nationals aboard.
Two were reported safe, while information on the remaining two was awaited. Indian officials have been coordinating with Ukrainian authorities as search efforts continue.
The attacks have intensified concern over Indian nationals serving aboard commercial vessels in the Black Sea.
India warns seafarers against Black Sea risks
The MEA issued an advisory on July 26 asking Indian nationals to carefully assess the security situation before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea.
It urged seafarers to exercise utmost caution, follow safety protocols issued by ship operators and maintain contact with employers and Indian diplomatic missions.
MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has the world’s second-largest seafaring community, with its nationals working aboard both Indian and foreign vessels.
Jaiswal said New Delhi had clearly conveyed that commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be attacked.
The embassy’s intervention in the MV AMIR1 case now comes with 13 more Indian seafarers remaining aboard a vessel in a port exposed to continuing hostilities.