FSUI issued an urgent appeal for 13 Indian seafarers stranded on M.V. Amir1 at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port, facing repeated drone and missile attacks.
Thirteen Indian seafarers are 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 (formerly Twitter).
“We urgently appeal to all concerned authorities, shipowners, flag state, 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 appeal comes at a time when India is coordinating with Ukrainian authorities in thesearch 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.
Two Indian crew members of MV Ragnar were safe and search for two others was continuing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing on Tuesday. “The search is underway for them and the Indian side is in touch with local authorities. We are also in touch with the families of the two missing Indian seafarers. We are doing everything we can to help,” he told reporters.
Jaiswal said India has a clear position that the Russia-Ukraine conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, adding that India has consistently underlined the importance to ensure the safety and freedom of maritime navigation and unimpeded international commerce.
“We have been very clear in articulating to both parties, and our partners and friends and to others also, that under no circumstances, commercial shipping or seafarers or civilians or civilian infrastructure must be attacked,” he said.
