Three Indians rescued after Black Sea drone strike, stable in Romania

Three Indian crew members rescued from MV Royad Mammadov after a drone strike are stable in Romania. India has condemned the attack and is coordinating assistance for their early departure.Stock photo used for illustrationLondon,Oct 7, 2026 13:10 ISTThree Indian nationals rescued from the Turkish-owned cargo vessel MV Royad Mammadov after a Russian drone strike in the Black Sea are in stable condition, the Indian Embassy in Romania said on Tuesday. The mission said it has assured them of all necessary assistance for their safe and early departure from Romania.The vessel was attacked earlier this week, killing at least two foreign seafarers and injuring several crew members. The nationality of those killed was not immediately known. The Black Sea has remained a major area of disruption during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with attacks affecting commercial shipping and port infrastructure.An embassy representative visited the three Indians on Tuesday. Two of them are staying at a hotel, while the third is being treated at the County Hospital in Constanta, the embassy said in a post on X. The three Indian nationals were rescued on Monday."All three are in stable condition," the mission said. "The Embassy assured them of all necessary assistance and support for their safe and early departure from Romania. Essential items, including mobile phones, were facilitated through the shipping company's local agent, while Indian food was arranged through a local Indian restaurant," it added. The embassy also said its representative met local police authorities, the shipping company's agent and doctors treating the injured Indian to coordinate further assistance.The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack in a statement on Tuesday, saying it "views these attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers with grave concern". "The injured have been rescued by Romanian authorities and are receiving medical attention. The three Indian nationals, who were part crew of the ship, are safe. We thank Romanian authorities for their swift action in this incident," the statement said. "We continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts," it added, as the Indian side said the rescued crew members were safe and being assisted in Romania. With PTI Inputs- Ends