Seafarers hold silent protest in Visakhapatnam against killings in war zones
The protest comes against the backdrop of a mounting toll among Indian seafarers since the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States on February 28, 2026
On Sunday, August 9, 2026, a silent protest was held by 40 merchant navy seafarers in Visakhapatnam against the deaths of their colleagues in war zones. The Merchant Navy Officers Welfare Association (MNOWA), led by president Kali Prasad, marched from the Kali Mata temple to the YMCA on Beach Road to show solidarity with the families of the deceased seafarers.
Prasad emphasized that merchant navy personnel were civilians who faced numerous dangers during their voyages, and should not be considered combatants in the ongoing conflicts. The association called for fair compensation and support for the families of the fallen seafarers, urging shipowners to conduct thorough risk assessments before deploying vessels and crew in high-risk areas.
The protest occurred amid a surge in attacks on Indian seafarers since the start of hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the United States on February 28, 2026.
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