New Delhi: Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead after a Palau flagged oil tanker was struck by US forces off the coast of Oman, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
The MT Settebello, carrying 28 crew members — 24 Indians and four foreign nationals (two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian and one Russian) — was hit after US Central Command said the vessel failed to comply with directions and was transporting oil from Iran in violation of an ongoing blockade. Initial reports said 21 Indian crew were rescued while three — deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh — were missing; their bodies have since been recovered and identified, Sonowal said.
“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead,” the minister posted on X, adding that the government will support the next of kin and expedite repatriation of the remains and rescued crew.
US Central Command said one of its warplanes fired on the tanker in the Gulf of Oman, disabling the vessel after it allegedly attempted to breach a US blockade on Iranian oil. The US statement said the crew repeatedly failed to obey orders.
India lodged a “strong protest” by summoning the US charge d’affaires in New Delhi. New Delhi condemned the attack and urged immediate de escalation, saying strikes on shipping are “deeply worrisome” and stem from the wider regional conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz and adjacent Gulf shipping routes have been heavily affected amid the wider Middle East war, with both Iran and the US enforcing rival restrictions on maritime traffic since the conflict intensified.