NHK



 

A Japanese-owned cargo ship has been shelled in the Black Sea, south of Ukraine. One crewmember has been injured.

Reuters reports a Russian missile hit the ship's stern, causing the vessel to catch fire.

The Ukrainian defense ministry announced on its Facebook page that the Panama-registered freighter Namura Queen was bombarded in the Black Sea on Friday.

The vessel is owned by a shipping company based in Imabari City in the western Japanese prefecture of Ehime.

A company official says all the 20-member crew are Filipinos and one was wounded in the shoulder. The remaining 19 were reportedly unharmed.

Reuters quoted a Ukrainian shipping company as saying the vessel was on its way to load grain at the port of Odessa in southern Ukraine.

Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is verifying details of the attack.

The Japanese ship-owner says the company was notified of what was described as a missile attack on Friday night, Japan time, by a firm that manages the vessel.

It says the ship was sailing to Odessa to be loaded, but has now headed for Turkey to check its condition.

A company official says it's good news the crew are alive, and the company wants them to move as soon as possible to a safe place.

The official added the company hopes the situation will improve, as both Ukraine and Russia are important players in the supply chain.