2 Indians missing after jumping into Black Sea as cargo ship struck

Two Indian seafarers are missing after they jumped into the Black Sea following an attack on their cargo ship, the Directorate of Maritime Administration reported. The incident occurred on Saturday evening as the Palau-flagged vessel MV AGN Ragnar was targeted by three drones while exiting the Bystre Mouth of the Danube River. The ship was reportedly struck at the port of Odesa. The remaining seven crew members, including two other Indian nationals and the pilot, were safely evacuated ashore by the Ukrainian Coast Guard. Search and rescue efforts were initiated but had to be paused due to ongoing drone threats. Operations are expected to resume once the security conditions improve. The attack on the MV AGN Ragnar marks another alarming incident in a series of assaults targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea. Since mid-July, there have been at least two similar attacks that resulted in the deaths of five Indian seafarers. On July 18, the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged MV Omorfi was hit by two drones during transit, killing one Indian crew member, Chief Officer Sagar Gupta. Two other Indian nationals aboard were reported safe. A day earlier, the MV Golden Leo, which carried mostly Indian and Syrian crew members, was struck by three Russian missiles, killing 10 individuals. Among the deceased were two Indian seafarers, Chief Officer Akhil Jovan and Ordinary Seaman Abhishek Nishad. The remaining eight bodies, heavily burned, are still being identified through forensic processes. The MV Golden Leo’s crew, including the four Indian seafarers, was employed by Navi Mumbai-based Gurukripa Marine Services Private Limited. Pratigya Tripathi of the company stated that DNA tests have been completed to determine the identities of the unidentified victims. The attack on the MV Golden Leo highlighted the escalating danger faced by commercial vessels navigating the Black Sea, particularly those carrying Indian crews. The recent incidents underscore the heightened risk posed by both drone and missile attacks in the region. In response to the latest attack, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory urging Indian seafarers working on merchant vessels in or passing through the Black Sea to adopt greater safety measures. The advisory warned of the highly volatile security environment in the area, citing an increased frequency of such attacks since April. It emphasized the need for adequate insurance coverage and emergency preparedness. The Indian embassy in Kyiv noted that four Indian seafarers were on the MV AGN Ragnar at the time of the attack. As of the latest update, two of them were confirmed safe, while information on the other two was pending. The Indian government has called on seafarers considering employment in the region to carefully evaluate the associated risks. The advisory stressed that individuals should exercise utmost caution and take all necessary precautions. This guidance comes amid growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping routes in the Black Sea, where conflicts involving multiple parties continue to escalate. The repeated attacks on vessels highlight the urgent need for improved security protocols and international cooperation to protect maritime workers. The search for the two missing Indian seafarers continues, though operations have been temporarily halted due to the persistent threat of drone activity. The Ukrainian Coast Guard and local authorities are coordinating efforts to locate the individuals, with plans to resume searches once the security situation stabilizes. Meanwhile, the families of the affected crew members await further updates. The incident adds to a troubling pattern of violence against commercial vessels, raising questions about the long-term safety of maritime trade in the region.