Four Indians Killed in Attack on MV Golden Leo Near Ukraine’s Odesa Port

A devastating blow.

A commercial cargo ship was hit by a missile strike as it sailed away from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, turning an ordinary trip into a complete nightmare. The attack killed four Indian nationals, with a fifth in a critical condition in hospital, fighting for his life.

It was the MV Golden Leo, a bulk carrier flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, loaded with grain and heading into the Black Sea. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said there were 17 crew on board, five of them Indian. Cruise missiles struck the vessel, sparking a fierce fire and overnight efforts to rescue people, rescue teams in Ukraine said. The heartbreak is painfully close to home for families back in India, where shipping records name a Mumbai-based ship management company.

A Strong Case for Safety

The Indian government expressed deep grief and sent its deepest condolences to the grieving families and hurried consular support to the only surviving Indian crew member.

New Delhi condemned the attack in a blunt and forthright statement, taking a swipe at the flagrant disregard for civilian safety and international maritime laws:
India has condemned the attacks and said such attacks on commercial shipping, putting the lives of innocent civilian crew members at risk or otherwise obstructing the freedom of navigation and commerce, are deplorable and must be avoided.

The Growing Danger at Sea

The incident highlights the volatile and dangerous nature of the Black Sea shipping lanes. As the war drags on, ports and supply lines increasingly are in the crosshairs. For merchant sailors attempting to do an honest day's work, every voyage has become a terrifying gamble of being caught in the middle of escalating military strikes. The international community is scrambling for answers to protect innocent lives at sea.