MEA condemns string of Black Sea attacks on ships with Indian crew; all 23 Indians on tanker Aframax Rio rescued
On 7 October 2026, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned attacks on four commercial vessels with Indian seafarers in the Black Sea, said all 23 Indian crew of the Liberia-flagged tanker Aframax Rio were rescued, and called for dialogue and diplomacy.
Summary
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on 7 October 2026, condemned a string of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea that endangered Indian seafarers and said free and unimpeded navigation must be restored at the earliest. Jaiswal listed four incidents: MV Royad Mammadov (three Indians, one injured), the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan (crew's fate unknown), the Palau-flagged MV ABLE (all 18 crew including 7 Indians rescued with Bulgarian help) and the Liberia-flagged oil tanker Aframax Rio, whose all-Indian crew of 23 was rescued after a drone-boat attack near Sochi, Russia. He reiterated India's call for dialogue and diplomacy and said India is engaging both Russia and Ukraine on safety of Black Sea shipping, grain and energy exports and non-attack possibilities.
Key facts
- Statement by
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, 7 October 2026
- Vessels attacked
- Four: MV Royad Mammadov, Alfa Watan, MV ABLE, Aframax Rio
- Aframax Rio
- Liberia-flagged oil tanker; all 23 Indian crew rescued (near Sochi, Russia)
- MV ABLE
- Palau-flagged; all 18 crew incl. 7 Indians rescued; Bulgaria thanked
- MV Royad Mammadov
- 3 Indians on board, 1 injured; Romania thanked
- Alfa Watan
- Togo-flagged; crew's fate unknown
- India's call
- End targeting of shipping; restore free navigation; dialogue and diplomacy
- Engagement
- With Russia and Ukraine on Black Sea shipping safety, grain and energy exports, non-attack possibilities
Practice MCQs 2 questions
In October 2026, the MEA said all 23 Indian seafarers were rescued from which Liberia-flagged oil tanker attacked in the Black Sea?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Aframax Rio
The MEA thanked the authorities of which country for rescuing all 18 crew, including 7 Indians, of the Palau-flagged MV ABLE in October 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Bulgaria