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Kyiv: The Indian Embassy in Ukraine on Wednesday said ensuring the safety and security of Indian nationals onboard cargo vessel MV AMIR1 remains its “highest
priority”. The embassy's remarks came after reports surfaced that 3 Indian seafarers are stranded at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port amid attacks near the Black Sea facility. In an X post, the embassy said it is in constant touch with all concerned authorities to ensure the well-being of the Indian nationals onboard. "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 of India in Ukraine said.
Earlier, on Tuesday, while responding to a question about the number of Indian seafarers working in or passing through the Black Sea region, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has one of the largest seafaring communities globally, with a significant number of sailors employed on both domestic and international vessels.
"We have the second-largest seafaring community. A lot of them are on Indian vessels, and a lot are also on foreign vessels. As to the exact number of Indian seafarers serving on ships in and around the Black Sea, I don't have the figure with me right now," he said.
13 Indian Seafarers Trapped on Ship at Ukraine's Chornomorsk Port Amid Drone, Missile Attacks: FSUI
A total of 13 Indian seafarers are reportedly stranded aboard the vessel M.V. Amir1, currently docked at Ukraine's Chornomorsk port, said the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI), issuing an urgent appeal for their safety and repatriation.
The union said the ship, with a total of 15 crew members on board, is caught in a "life-threatening situation" amid repeated drone and missile attacks in the vicinity, leaving the crew living in constant fear of a direct hit.
In its appeal, FSUI called on the shipowners, the flag state, and the Government of India to urgently intervene and ensure the crew's safety, with prompt 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. 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 posted on X.
"We urgently appeal to all concerned authorities, shipowners, flag states, and the Government of India to immediately secure their safety and arrange prompt repatriation," it said.
"Indian seafarers must not be left as sitting targets in conflict zones," the union said, urging authorities to act without delay.
The development comes at a time when India is coordinating with Ukrainian authorities in the search for two Indian seafarers who were missing following an attack on a merchant vessel in Odesa port last week. Four Indian crew members were onboard merchant ship MV AGN Ragnar when it was struck in Ukraine's Odesa port on July 25 and two of them were reported missing.
