India Condemns Attacks on Commercial Ships in Black Sea, Urges Immediate Halt

Damaged commercial ship in the Black Sea with smoke rising after attack.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned the recent attacks on three commercial vessels — the Togo‑flagged Alfa Watan, Palau‑flagged Able, and Liberia‑flagged Aframax Rio — in the Black Sea. The ministry expressed deep concern over the continuing assaults on merchant shipping and called for an immediate cessation of such incidents.

Seven of the eighteen crew members aboard Able are Indian nationals, one of whom sustained injuries. With assistance from Bulgarian authorities, all crew members were safely evacuated to Varna, Bulgaria, where the injured sailor is receiving medical care.

The MEA extended gratitude to Bulgarian officials for their swift support and confirmed that all twenty‑three Indian crew members aboard Aframax Rio have been rescued. The ministry added that it is awaiting updates on the crew of Alfa Watan.

Reiterating India’s stance, the MEA emphasized that targeting commercial shipping, seafarers, and civilian infrastructure must stop immediately to preserve peace and stability in the region.