16 seafarers killed in Gulf, Black Sea; Saudi calls sea seizures ‘criminal act’
Indian shipping officials reported 16 seafarer deaths in the Persian Gulf and Black Sea over the past eight months, prompting calls for the protection of international waterways. Saudi officials emphasized that attempts to control these sea lanes constitute criminal acts that must be stopped.
Why it matters
The safety of international shipping lanes is critical for global trade, and the loss of life highlights the ongoing risks posed by regional conflicts to maritime workers.
NEW DELHI: Even as the government on Thursday said 16 seafarers have been killed in attacks — 11 in the Persian Gulf and five in the Black Sea over the course of almost eight months- a senior Saudi official at Sagarmanthan Dialogue stressed that anyone trying to take control of an international waterway or sealane is a “criminal act”, which must be stopped.Responding to queries on the safety of Indian seafarers, shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said India has successfully brought back 4,292 Indian seafarers and now only 139 remain in the conflict-hit region.
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