Vessel with 4 Indians struck at Ukraine's Odesa port, second such attack in a week

A merchant vessel with four Indian nationals on board was struck at Ukraine's Port of Odesa on Sunday, raising concerns about the safety of Indian citizens in the conflict zone. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv confirmed the incident, stating that two of the crew members are safe, while information regarding the other two is still pending.

The vessel, identified as MV AGN Ragnar, was hit on Saturday while docked at the Port of Odesa. This strategic Black Sea port has been a frequent target since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The Indian mission is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts to ascertain the well-being of all affected individuals.

This attack marks the second such incident involving Indian nationals in Odesa within a week. Just days prior, a Russian strike on the same port resulted in the deaths of four Indian seafarers. These repeated attacks underscore the ongoing risks faced by maritime operations and personnel in the region, even as diplomatic efforts continue.

The Indian Embassy has assured that it is closely monitoring developments and is in communication with Ukrainian authorities and the shipping company to gather more information. The situation remains fluid as efforts are underway to confirm the status of the remaining two crew members and to provide necessary assistance.

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Two crew members have been confirmed safe, while information about the other two is still awaited.