Four Syrian seafarers have been killed after a Russian cruise missile hit a vessel in the Black Sea port of Odessa last Tuesday.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) condemns the killing of seafarers and reiterates its call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, urging a halt to all attacks on commercial ships.
Four Syrian seafarers were killed in the attack and two Ukrainians (one seafarer and one watchman) were injured when a missile hit the vessel MJ Pinar, a Greek-managed bulk carrier. This is the latest attack on the port's infrastructure by Russia.
“We are outraged and deeply saddened by these killings. Seafarers operating in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov have been forced to endure unacceptable risks for far too long,” said David Heindel, ITF Seafarers’ Section Chair.
The seafarers were loading wheat for Algeria when the attack happened. Ukraine is the world's ninth largest producer and fifth largest exporter of wheat, and ships over five million tonnes of grain a month.
The Port of Odessa has been repeatedly targeted by Russian military over the past three years.
Heindel stated: “Seafarers are the world’s key workers – they are absolutely crucial to the global economy and they must be protected. It is simply unconscionable that they have been killed while carrying out their work.”
Although Ukraine signed a 30-day ceasefire proposal after discussions with the US in Jeddah this week, there is no explanation of how this might be enforced.
“These killings underscore the grim reality of the dangers seafarers face day in, day out. The repeated targeting of civilian vessels, workers and people must end, and it must end now,” added Heindel.
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Image credit: Reuters
