The Supreme Court of India has mandated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) along with the Indian Embassies in Ukraine and Romania to urgently determine the status of Indian seafarers who were aboard a cargo ship targeted in a drone strike near Ukraine. This directive was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana.
The Court highlighted the existence of conflicting reports regarding the fate of the nine-member crew, which included four Indian nationals. One report suggested that all four Indians had perished, while another claimed that two were rescued and two others had leapt into the sea to escape the fire and are now under the care of the Romanian Coast Guard.
“We anticipate immediate action from the Indian Embassies in Ukraine and Romania to gather information on these seafarers. The Ministry of External Affairs should also utilize diplomatic channels to expedite the search process,” stated the Court’s order.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union of India, assured the Court that the Indian Embassies in the concerned regions and the MEA are monitoring the situation closely. He committed to providing the Court with updates as soon as possible.
This development follows a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea, which has become a hotspot in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recently, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) made an urgent appeal concerning another vessel, MV AMIR1, where 13 out of 15 crew members, all Indian, were caught amid frequent drone and missile attacks near their ship. The Indian Embassy in Ukraine has reportedly prioritized ensuring their safety.
