New Delhi: Three Indian sailors have been confirmed dead after a US military strike on an oil tanker near the coast of Oman, marking one of the deadliest incidents involving Indian crew members in the ongoing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, identified as the Palau-flagged MT Settebello, was carrying 24 Indian crew members when it came under attack.
Earlier reports had indicated that two sailors had died while the ship’s chief engineer was missing. However, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal later confirmed that all three missing Indians had been found dead. The deceased crew members were reportedly from Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 21 Indian crew members were successfully rescued following the attack. The Indian Embassy in Oman has been coordinating closely with local authorities and rescue agencies during the search-and-rescue operation.
The tanker reportedly sent an SOS distress call after suffering major damage. Crew members reported a fire in the engine room and a breach in the vessel’s hull, raising fears that the ship could sink. Rescue efforts were launched immediately after the emergency message was received.
India has strongly condemned the attack and expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf region. The Ministry of External Affairs described the repeated attacks on commercial shipping as deeply worrying and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions. New Delhi has also lodged a formal protest with the United States by summoning the US Chargé d’Affaires.
The incident comes amid escalating conflict in West Asia and renewed threats to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
