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4 Indian Nationals Killed in Attack on Merchant Ship Leaving Ukraine’s Odesa Port: MEA
Four Indian nationals were killed after a merchant vessel came under attack while leaving Ukraine’s Odesa port, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. Another Indian national who was on board the ship is currently hospitalised in critical condition.
Four Indian nationals were killed after a merchant vessel came under attack while leaving Ukraine’s Odesa port, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. Another Indian national who was on board the ship is currently hospitalised in critical condition.
The incident took place on the evening of July 19, when the MV Golden Leo was departing from the port of Odesa. According to the MEA, the vessel had a total of 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals.
“Four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
India strongly condemned the attack and expressed concern over the targeting of a commercial vessel carrying civilian crew members. The MEA said that attacks on commercial shipping and actions that endanger innocent crew members or obstruct freedom of navigation and international commerce are deplorable and must be avoided.
The Indian government has not, however, identified the party responsible for the attack.
The Indian mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is coordinating efforts to provide all possible assistance to the affected crew members and their families.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased Indian nationals and wish the injured Indian national a speedy and full recovery,” the MEA said.
The attack comes at a time when hostilities between Russia and Ukraine continue to intensify, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and civilian crew members operating in the region.
