Egyptian Captain Killed, Eight Sailors Repatriated After Cargo Ship Struck Near Russian Port

ISTANBUL — Eight Egyptian sailors have been safely repatriated to Cairo after their commercial vessel was struck off the coast of southwestern Russia earlier this week, resulting in the death of the ship's Egyptian captain, authorities announced on Friday.

According to an official statement by Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the commercial ship, identified as the M/Noran, came under fire on September 13 near a port facility in southwestern Russia.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty directed the Egyptian Embassy in Moscow to oversee the situation closely, ensuring consular support and facilitating the evacuation and return of the eight surviving Egyptian crew members. The ministry also formally confirmed the captain's death in the attack.

Ongoing Conflict Hampers Body Recovery

The foreign minister instructed diplomatic liaisons to maintain communication with the deceased captain's family while coordination continues with local authorities to retrieve his body. The ministry clarified that the recovery operation will proceed once localized security conditions stabilize, emphasizing that ongoing military hostilities in the maritime zone currently prevent safe access to the vessel.

While the official Egyptian dispatch did not state the party responsible for the strike or detail the physical hull damage, Russian media reports alleged that the vessel was targeted by multiple drones shortly after departing Russia's primary Black Sea commercial port of Novorossiysk. Ukrainian officials have not issued an immediate comment regarding the reports.