Muscat: The Indian Embassy in Oman on Wednesday said the mortal remains of two Indian seafarers killed in the attack on the Palau flagged tanker MT Settebello have been repatriated to India.
In a post on X, the Embassy identified the deceased as Aditya Sharma and Shivanand Chaurasiya and expressed condolences to their families. It also confirmed that 21 rescued Indian crew members are returning home from Oman. India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, met the crew before their departure and conveyed the government's support.
The Embassy said MT Settebello was attacked about 30 nautical miles off Sohar, Oman. While 21 Indian nationals were rescued, three seafarers in total lost their lives in the incident, it added. Omani maritime authorities were alerted and involved in the search-and-rescue operation.
The deaths have prompted strong diplomatic démarches by India. On June 13, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the matter with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and lodged a protest after a US strike on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman killed three Indian seafarers. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US Charge d’Affaires, Jason Meeks, urging US authorities to ensure their forces take all necessary measures to avoid civilian casualties in the region.
US Central Command acknowledged that US forces struck the vessel, saying the tanker failed to comply with instructions and was attempting to transport oil from Iran in violation of an ongoing US blockade. CENTCOM said one of its aircraft disabled the vessel after repeated non compliance by the crew.
The Indian Embassy reiterated its commitment to the welfare and safety of Indian nationals and said it would continue to assist the rescued crew and the bereaved families.
(Inputs from IANS)