Three Indian Sailors Confirmed Dead in Tanker Attack Off Oman Near Hormuz Strait

Indian Seafarers Confirmed Dead in Attack on Oil Tanker Off Oman Coast

Three Indian seafarers who were initially reported missing after the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello was struck off the coast of Oman have now been confirmed dead, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced on Thursday after the bodies were located and identified.

The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between India and the United States, with New Delhi summoning US Chargé d'Affaires Jason Meeks and lodging a strong protest over the attack on the commercial vessel carrying Indian nationals. The MT Settebello, carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indians, caught fire after its engine room was hit during the incident near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 21 Indian crew members were rescued following the attack. The ministry had earlier said three Indians were unaccounted for, but their deaths have now been confirmed.