An Indian national onboard a commercial vessel transiting the Black Sea has lost his life following an attack, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed.
The incident occurred on July 18, 2026, involving the commercial vessel MV OMORFI, which came under fire while transiting through reported Russian territorial waters.
Incident Overview
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Casualties & Crew: Out of 10 crew members on board, three were Indian nationals. One Indian seafarer tragically died, while the remaining two Indian crew members are confirmed safe.
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MEA Response: India unequivocally condemned the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian crews, calling increasing threats to freedom of navigation a matter of serious concern.
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Consular Support: The Indian Embassy in Russia has contacted relevant local authorities to provide assistance to the deceased seafarer’s family.
Rising Black Sea Maritime Risks
The attack on the MV OMORFI comes amid heightened conflict risks in Black Sea shipping lanes. It follows a separate strike on July 19 targeting the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo shortly after leaving a Ukrainian port, in which four Indian crew members were killed.
New Delhi has urged all parties involved to uphold international obligations and ensure the uninterrupted safety of international maritime commerce.
