Bucharest(Romania), 11 October (H.S.): Three Indian nationals rescued from the commercial vessel MV Royad Mamadov following an attack in the Black Sea departed Romania for India on Saturday. The Indian Embassy in Bucharest announced their departure and expressed its gratitude to Romanian authorities, medical personnel and rescue teams for their assistance in ensuring the safe return of the three Indians.

According to the embassy, the three Indian nationals returning home are Sahil Sandhu, Ashwini Kumar and Harman Singh. In a post on the social media platform X, the embassy stated that the necessary assistance and arrangements had been made to facilitate their return to India.

The vessel came under attack on Tuesday, following which the three Indian nationals were rescued. On Wednesday, a representative of the Indian Embassy met with them. Two of the Indians were accommodated at a hotel, while the third, who had sustained injuries, was receiving treatment at the County Hospital in Constanța.

The embassy provided the necessary assistance to ensure their prompt and safe repatriation. Mobile phones and other essential items were arranged through the shipping company's local agent. Arrangements were also made to provide them with Indian meals during their stay in Romania.

Following the incident, India condemned attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea region. During a media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that such attacks threaten maritime trade and endanger the lives of people working at sea.

Jaiswal stated that three Indian nationals had been aboard the vessel and confirmed that all three were safe. However, one of them had sustained injuries and was receiving medical treatment. He also expressed India's gratitude to the Romanian authorities for their assistance in the matter.

India reiterated its call for de-escalation, the restoration of peace and the resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar