NEW DELHI: All three Indian seafarers initially reported missing have been confirmed dead after a US military strike on a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman off Oman’s coast, Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday, following the recovery of two bodies from the vessel.
The incident involves the Palau-flagged oil products tanker MT Settebello, which was struck during a US operation in the region.
The vessel was carrying 24 Indian crew members when it was hit, triggering a fire on board and prompting a large-scale rescue operation. While 21 crew members were safely evacuated, three remained unaccounted for after the attack.
According to official Indian statements, two bodies have since been recovered from the vessel, and authorities are making arrangements for their immediate repatriation.
The remaining missing seafarer has now also been confirmed dead, marking a tragic end to the search operation.
In a statement on social media platform X, Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a “profound loss to our maritime family”.
He added that the government is working closely with relevant agencies to ensure the swift return of mortal remains and support for the bereaved families.
BREAKING: India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has said all three missing Indian seafarers have died after a US military strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, Reuters reports.
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“The Modi government stands firmly with the families during this difficult hour and is fully committed to providing all necessary assistance,” he said, directing officials to expedite repatriation procedures.
Following the incident, Indian authorities summoned the US Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi on Wednesday and lodged a strong protest over the strike. The move reflects growing concern over the safety of civilian seafarers amid escalating tensions in the Gulf of Oman.
The United States has stated that its military conducted a “precision” strike on the vessel after it failed to comply with instructions and was transporting Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions enforcement measures in the region.
The Settebello incident comes amid heightened maritime security risks in the Strait of Hormuz region, where commercial shipping routes remain vulnerable due to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
