{
  "id": 364511,
  "title": "Seafarers hold silent protest in Visakhapatnam against killings in war zones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/seafarers-hold-silent-protest-in-visakhapatnam-against-killings-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T10:08:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/seafarers-hold-silent-protest-in-visakhapatnam-against-killings-in-war-zones/article71324314.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "The Merchant Navy Officers Welfare Association (MNOWA) in Visakhapatnam conducted a silent protest on August 9, 2026, in opposition to the killings of seafarers in war zones. Around 40 merchant navy seafarers participated in the protest, expressing solidarity with those who lost their lives and their families. The protest, led by MNOWA president Kali Prasad, highlighted the risks faced by merchant navy seafarers, who are civilian personnel working away from their families and are not combatants. The association called for fair compensation and support for the families of deceased seafarers, urging shipowners and operators to conduct thorough risk assessments before deploying vessels and crew in high-risk areas. The protest comes amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has led to a significant number of Indian seafarers being killed in recent months.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}