New Delhi: While ships are being targeted due to tensions in the Middle East, shocking news has emerged from a Ukrainian port. A major attack took place on Sunday at the Odesa port, targeting a merchant vessel carrying four crew members.
Following the attack, two crew members are reported missing, while two others have been confirmed safe. According to an official statement from the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, two crew members are safe, while information regarding the other two is awaited. The embassy indicated that the incident occurred a day earlier, on Saturday.
India Monitoring the Situation
According to the Indian Embassy, the incident took place on Saturday when the vessel MV AGN Ragnar was subjected to a major attack at the Odesa port. Odesa is a key Black Sea port in Ukraine that has faced numerous major attacks since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022. The Indian mission stated that it is closely monitoring the situation.
This incident comes just days after four Indian sailors lost their lives in a Russian attack at the Odesa port. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv confirmed on Sunday that two Indian crew members on board the vessel are safe.
Information regarding the other two Indians is awaited. The embassy stated that it is in contact with local authorities and relevant agencies, continuously monitoring the status of the Indian nationals. Everyone is awaiting further updates on the incident.
Recent Deaths of Four Indian Sailors
It is worth noting that four Indian sailors recently lost their lives in a major attack on a cargo ship near the Ukrainian coast, and another Indian was injured. Following that incident, India took immediate action by summoning Russia’s Charge d’Affaires to lodge a strong protest against the attack. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs conveyed to the Russian diplomat in unequivocal terms that the attack on a merchant vessel, which resulted in the loss of Indian lives, was completely unacceptable.
Ships Face Threat in the Strait of Hormuz
The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has destabilised the situation in the Middle East, with the Strait of Hormuz also caught in the crossfire. Navigating ships through this area has become increasingly difficult. While Iran has officially threatened to close this route, the US military continues to take action against Iran to keep the passage open. Rising tensions have disrupted the movement of commercial vessels in the Strait, leading once again to significant volatility in global crude oil prices.
