Three Indian seafarers who had gone missing after the attack on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off the Oman coast have been confirmed dead, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
The deceased have been identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh.
Expressing condolences, Sonowal said the bodies of the missing crew members had been located and identified. He described the incident as a major loss for India’s maritime community and assured all possible support to the families of the victims. The minister also said officials have been instructed to arrange the speedy repatriation of both the rescued crew members and the mortal remains of the deceased.
The MT Settebello was carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indians and four foreign nationals. Following the strike, 21 Indian sailors were rescued while three were initially reported missing. Their deaths were later confirmed after search and recovery operations concluded.
According to US Central Command, the vessel was targeted after allegedly failing to comply with instructions from American forces and was suspected of transporting Iranian oil in violation of a US-enforced blockade. The ship’s operators, however, have disputed those allegations.
India strongly condemned the attack and raised the matter with the United States. New Delhi also summoned the US Charge d’Affaires to register its protest, while reiterating its call for de-escalation in the region.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies. Ongoing conflict and restrictions on maritime traffic have increased risks for commercial vessels operating in the area.
The deaths of the three Indian sailors have once again highlighted concerns over the safety of merchant shipping and the security of Indian seafarers working on international vessels in conflict-prone waters.