Indian Sailor Dies in Black Sea Attack on MV OMORFI, Two Crew Members Safe

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has confirmed the tragic death of an Indian sailor following an attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI while it was navigating through the Black Sea, reportedly within Russian territorial waters. The incident, which occurred on July 18, 2026, involved a total of ten crew members, three of whom were Indian nationals. Fortunately, the other two Indian crew members aboard the ship have been reported safe after the attack. The MEA expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased sailor in an official statement, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

According to the MEA's statement, the MV OMORFI was targeted during a particularly tumultuous period for maritime activities in the region. This incident follows a previous attack on another vessel, the MV Golden Leo, near Odesa on July 19, which resulted in the deaths of four Indian seafarers. The MEA has indicated that the Indian Embassy in Moscow is actively engaging with local authorities to provide necessary support to the family of the deceased sailor. The ministry's response underscores the seriousness of the threat to commercial shipping in the Black Sea, an area that has seen increasing violence against maritime operations.