Three Indian seafarers who were initially reported missing after a US strike on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman have been confirmed dead, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
The Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello was carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indians, when it came under attack in the Gulf of Oman. According to the US military, the vessel was targeted for allegedly violating an American blockade on Iranian oil exports.
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The three deceased Indians have been identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh. Their bodies have since been recovered and identified.
Expressing his condolences, Sonowal described the incident as a “profound loss” for India’s maritime community and assured full government support to the families of the deceased. He also directed officials to facilitate the immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and the mortal remains of those who lost their lives.
India has strongly condemned the attack and lodged a formal protest with the United States. New Delhi stated that attacks on commercial shipping are deeply concerning and called for immediate de-escalation in the region.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf, where competing blockades linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict have disrupted one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
