Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead following a US military strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, as announced by Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The incident occurred earlier this week when the vessel, with a crew of 28—including 24 Indian nationals—was reportedly attacked by US forces. US military officials stated that the tanker was targeted after it allegedly failed to comply with directives and was attempting to transport oil from Iran, which is in violation of an American blockade in the region.
The deceased have been identified as Deck Cadet Aditya Sharma, Engine Fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya, and Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh. Initially reported missing, their bodies were later located and identified. Sonowal expressed profound sorrow at the loss, offering condolences to the families of the deceased and pledging full government support.
“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello,” Sonowal stated. He has instructed officials to expedite the repatriation of the rescued crew members and ensure the swift return of the deceased for their final rites. Reports indicate that 21 Indian crew members were rescued following the strike, alongside four foreign nationals, including two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian.
In response to the incident, India has expressed strong condemnation and lodged a formal protest with the United States. New Delhi summoned the US Charge d’Affaires to communicate its concerns regarding the attack on a vessel carrying Indian nationals. Official sources have described assaults on shipping in the area as alarming, linking them to broader conflicts and instability in the Middle East.
The US Central Command confirmed the strike, explaining that the tanker had breached regulations concerning the transportation of Iranian oil. They asserted that the vessel had repeatedly failed to heed instructions from American forces, which led to its disabling while operating in the Gulf of Oman.
This incident unfolds amid rising tensions in the Gulf region, where maritime operations have been increasingly jeopardized by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and their allies. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy transit route, has seen a surge in security challenges and conflicting encroachments on shipping activities. The deaths of the three Indian sailors highlight the hazards faced by merchant mariners in volatile regions and have renewed calls for de-escalation and enhanced protection for civilian shipping in international waters.
Indian authorities are actively working to assist the surviving crew members while providing support to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in this incident.
