Four Indians Killed, One Critical In Missile Attack On Cargo Ship Leaving Ukraine's Odesa Port

Four Indians Killed, One Critical In Missile Attack On Cargo Ship Leaving Ukraine's Odesa Port

Four Indian nationals have lost their lives and another is fighting for survival in a hospital after a commercial cargo vessel came under a heavy missile strike while departing Ukraine’s southern port of Odesa. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the casualties on Monday, issuing a strong condemnation of the strike that targeted innocent civilian seafarers in the volatile Black Sea shipping corridor.

The incident unfolded on the evening of 19 July when the Guinea-Bissau-flagged bulk carrier, MV Golden Leo, was targeted shortly after setting sail with a cargo of corn. Ukrainian naval authorities stated that the vessel was struck by three Russian cruise missiles, triggering an intense onboard fire and necessitating an overnight search-and-rescue operation.

Midnight Missile Strike Triggers Blazes At Sea

The MV Golden Leo was manned by a 17-member multinational crew comprising Indian and Syrian nationals at the time of the attack. According to automated maritime tracking and data provider LSEG, the vessel is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd.

Eyewitnesses on the Odesa coastline reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the vessel following successive explosions. While Ukrainian rescue teams managed to pull eight crew members to safety, the strike took a heavy toll. Local port authorities reported that a total of nine people perished in the attack, including the four Indian sailors and a local Ukrainian maritime pilot who was assisting the ship's exit from the harbour.

India Demands Safety For Civilian Seafarers

New Delhi responded swiftly to the tragedy, with the Indian Mission in Kyiv mobilising resources to coordinate medical care and repatriation efforts.

As per information available, four Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, while one is hospitalised in a critical condition. Our Mission in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is making every effort to extend all possible assistance to those affected.

– Ministey of External Affairs

Condemning the escalation of violence against commercial shipping lanes, the MEA added: "India condemns such attacks and reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided."

Escalating Conflict Shakes Black Sea Trade Lanes

The fatal strike marks the deadliest single incident involving foreign seafarers in recent weeks as the Black Sea transforms into a high-risk zone. While international arrangements previously allowed both Ukraine and Russia to ship vital agricultural commodities to ease global food supply shocks, recent weeks have seen a sharp surge in maritime hostilities.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of deliberately targeting deepwater ports and neutral cargo vessels to cripple its economy. Conversely, the Russian Defence Ministry stated its forces had targeted infrastructure facilities and fuel reservoirs overnight in the Odesa region. Local administration officials confirmed that Russian strikes in the broader Odesa province have claimed 28 civilian lives within this month alone, highlighting the growing risks facing global shipping crews operating in European waters.