India summoned the Ukrainian ambassador over an attack on a ship carrying its citizens
Two of the four Indian sailors who were aboard the merchant ship attacked near Odesa are currently safe.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polischuk over the Russian attack on a merchant ship near the port of Odesa. At the time of the attack, four Indian citizens who were part of the crew were on board the ship.
According to preliminary information, two Indian sailors are already safe. Indian authorities are investigating the circumstances of the attack and the fate of the other crew members.
It is noted that this diplomatic move took place the day after the ship was struck amid a deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea.
“Today, Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the attack on the merchant vessel MV Omorfi, which led to the tragic death of an Indian citizen,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added: “The Ministry expressed serious concern over this incident and strongly condemned such attacks on merchant shipping, emphasizing their negative impact on the safety of maritime navigation, freedom of navigation, and international trade. The ambassador was asked to convey to the Ukrainian authorities India’s deep concern regarding attacks on merchant vessels and to reiterate that such actions, which endanger the lives of innocent civilian seafarers, are unacceptable and must be avoided.”
According to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine, two of the four Indian crew members are safe, while the fate of the other two remains unknown. This latest incident followed another deadly attack earlier this month.
As a reminder, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Russian strikes on civilian vessels — Reuters.
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