- Incident prompted a strong reaction from New Delhi, which summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires and lodged an official protest
Three Indian seafarers who went missing after a US military strike on the tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman have been confirmed dead, India’s Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Thursday.
The sailors disappeared following the strike on the vessel off the coast of Oman. According to the United States military, the tanker was targeted in a “precision strike” after allegedly failing to comply with instructions from American forces. Washington also stated that the vessel was carrying Iranian oil.
The incident prompted a strong reaction from New Delhi, which summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires and lodged an official protest. Indian authorities expressed concern over the safety of Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels operating in the region, according to news reports.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had earlier confirmed that 24 Indian crew members were on board the Settebello when it was struck. While 21 were rescued, three remained unaccounted for until their deaths were confirmed.
In a distress call reported by international media, crew members said the vessel had suffered a direct hit to its engine room, causing a fire and severe damage. They appealed for immediate assistance, warning that the ship was sinking. Reports indicated that all 24 crew members on board were Indian nationals.
The US CENTCOM later confirmed that American forces targeted the Palau-flagged tanker as part of ongoing operations linked to its maritime blockade against Iran. According to the statement, a US aircraft fired precision munitions into the vessel’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions issued by American forces.
The attack has drawn international attention and renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman and the wider Strait of Hormuz region. The International Maritime Organization has called for a full investigation and stressed the need to protect civilian seafarers and international shipping routes.
