Trace Indian seafarers hit by drone near Ukraine: SC to MEA

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassies in Ukraine and Romania to immediately take steps to ascertain the whereabouts of Indian seafarers aboard a cargo vessel that came under a drone attack near Ukraine.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, noted that there were conflicting accounts emerging from the incident.

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"We expect immediate steps from the Indian Embassy in Ukraine as well as in Romania to gather information about the whereabouts of these seafaring people. We also direct the Ministry of External Affairs to use their diplomatic channels and search in the same process," the bench ordered.

Of the vessel's nine-member crew, four were Indian. One report indicated that all four Indians had drowned. Another indicated that two of the Indian seafarers were rescued on the scene, while the other two had to jump into the water to escape the fire and were currently with the Romanian Coast Guard.

Appearing on behalf of the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the Indian Embassies in Romania and Ukraine, as well as the MEA, would be cognisant of the accurate facts. Mehta submitted that he would take instructions and apprise the bench of the same at the earliest opportunity.