The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday condemned the attacks on three commercial vessels — Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, Palau-flagged Able and Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio — in the Black Sea, expressing deep concern over the continuing incidents targeting commercial shipping.
Of the 18 crew members onboard Able, seven are Indian nationals, one of whom was injured in the attack. With the assistance of Bulgarian authorities, all crew members were evacuated and are currently stationed in the Bulgarian city of Varna, the MEA said.
The injured Indian crew member is receiving requisite medical treatment, it said.
“We thank the Bulgarian authorities for their valuable support,” the MEA said in a statement.
All 23 crew members onboard the vessel Aframax Rio are Indian nationals and have been rescued, the ministry said.
“We await to hear about the crew on the vessel Alfa Watan,” it added.
The MEA said the continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping remain a cause of deep concern for India and reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interest of peace and stability.
“The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must end,” the ministry said.
