India Coordinates With Ukraine, Romania in Search for Two Missing Crew Members
New Delhi — India remains in contact with Ukrainian and Romanian authorities as search-and-rescue operations continue for two Indian nationals missing after an attack on the MV AGN Ragnar near Ukraine’s Port of Odessa, the Ministry of External Affairs said Friday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian government is also in touch with the families of the missing crew members and is providing them with all possible assistance.
The vessel was attacked July 25 as it was leaving Odessa. Four Indian nationals were serving as crew members aboard the ship. Two were confirmed safe, while the other two remain missing.
“The search and rescue operations have been carried out both on the Ukrainian side and also on the Romanian side,” Jaiswal said during a biweekly media briefing in New Delhi. “We remain in close touch with both the Ukrainian side and the Romanian side to see if we can get some results.”
Jaiswal added that Indian officials have been communicating with the families of the two missing nationals and offering support.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine said Sunday that it was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the relevant authorities.
“Four Indian nationals were on board the vessel. As per the latest information, two have been confirmed safe, and information is awaited regarding the other two nationals,” the embassy said in a statement. “Search and rescue operations are underway.”
The incident occurred days after an Indian national was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel traveling through the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters. (Source: IANS)
