NEW DELHI, Aug. 4 (ANI) — India is making every effort to trace two Indian sailors who remain missing after the merchant vessel MV AGN Ragnar came under attack while departing Ukraine’s Port of Odesa on July 25, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Tuesday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said four Indian nationals were aboard the vessel when it was attacked. Two have been confirmed safe, while the other two remain missing.
“The vessel AGN Ragnar came under attack while it was leaving the Odesa port. There were four Indian nationals on board. As I informed you earlier, two of them are safe, while two are missing,” Jaiswal said during the ministry’s biweekly media briefing.
He said search-and-rescue operations are being conducted in coordination with authorities in Ukraine and Romania.
“Since the incident took place, our embassies in Ukraine and Romania have been in constant touch with local authorities, and search and rescue operations have been undertaken as directed by the Supreme Court, in coordination with authorities in Ukraine and Romania,” Jaiswal said.
“We are making all efforts to trace the two missing Indian nationals. We are also in touch with their family members and providing all possible assistance,” he added.
Jaiswal emphasized that the government places the highest priority on the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers.
“Let me also say that we attach the highest importance and priority to the safety, well-being, and welfare of our seafaring community,” he said.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine said on July 26 that the merchant vessel carrying four Indian nationals had been struck at the Port of Odesa.
In a post on X, the embassy said it was closely monitoring the situation following the attack on MV AGN Ragnar.
“Embassy of India in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation following the incident involving MV AGN Ragnar, which was struck at the Port of Odesa, on 25 July. 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. Search and rescue operations are underway. The Embassy is in constant touch with the concerned authorities,” the embassy said. (ANI)
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