
Three Indian nationals were rescued from the MV Royad Mammadov after a missile strike in the Black Sea on Monday, 27 October 2026. The attack killed two foreign seafarers and left several crew members, including the Indians, wounded. The vessel had been en route from Constanța to the port of Odesa when the strike occurred.
The Indian Embassy in Bucharest coordinated the rescue and return. It supplied medical supplies, arranged accommodation in a local hotel for two crew members, and facilitated treatment for the third at Constanța County Hospital. The embassy also thanked Romanian authorities, the hospital, and rescue teams for their assistance.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and highlighted the growing threat to international shipping. The MEA released a statement urging dialogue and diplomacy to protect merchant crews and called on the global community to curb such attacks. It also reiterated India’s role in the 25‑nation Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.
All three Indians departed for India on Saturday, 31 October, aboard a commercial flight from Bucharest. The repatriation was completed under the Embassy’s guidance, with the crew expected to be back in India by early next week. The incident underscores the need for continued vigilance in Black Sea shipping lanes.