Three Indian seafarers, missing after US strike on tanker near Oman, confirmed dead

The incident has triggered diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Washington, with India lodging a strong protest over the attack.

The sailors were among 24 Indian crew members aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello when the vessel was struck in the Gulf of Oman.

While 21 crew members were rescued, the three missing seafarers were later confirmed dead after search and recovery efforts.

Announcing the development, Sonowal expressed condolences to the families of the deceased sailors and said the government was taking steps to repatriate the bodies and the surviving crew members.

"It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified," Sonowal said.

He added that officials had been directed to ensure the immediate return of the rescued crew and the mortal remains of the deceased sailors to India.

India summons US diplomat

Following the attack, India summoned Jason Meeks, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in New Delhi, and formally registered a strong protest over the strike.

Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), met the senior US diplomat after the incident and conveyed India's concerns regarding the safety of Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in the region.

In a statement issued after the attack, the MEA said: "We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today."

The ministry noted that 24 Indian crew members were on board the vessel at the time of the strike and confirmed that 21 had been rescued.

The ministry also said that the Indian Embassy in Oman was coordinating closely with Omani authorities during the search and rescue operation.

US confirms strike

The United States confirmed carrying out the operation, describing it as a "precision" strike against the vessel.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the tanker was targeted after allegedly failing to comply with instructions issued by American forces while transiting the Gulf of Oman. US officials also claimed the vessel was transporting Iranian oil.

CENTCOM said the operation took place at 11:14 pm on June 9 as part of ongoing maritime enforcement measures linked to the US blockade against Iran.

In its statement, CENTCOM said: "A US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship's engine room" after the crew repeatedly failed to follow directions from American forces.

The command added that it had disabled the Palau-flagged tanker during its transit through the Gulf of Oman.

Attack sparks concern over sailors' safety

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers operating in the strategically important Gulf region amid heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States.

Initial reports from the MEA indicated that three Indian sailors had gone missing following the strike.

Subsequent search efforts led to the recovery and identification of the bodies, confirming their deaths.