Three Indian sailors confirmed dead after US attack on commercial vessel

NEW DELHI: All three Indian sailors who were reported missing after a US attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz have been confirmed dead, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.

The sailors were among the 24 Indian crew members aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello, which came under attack while transiting the Gulf of Oman.

Earlier in the day, two sailors had been reported dead while the vessel's chief engineer remained missing.

The latest confirmation indicates that the chief engineer is also among the deceased.

"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 two bodies were recovered... I have directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites," Sonowal said in a post on X.

Earlier, the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) had said communication with the vessel had been disrupted and that information available at the time indicated two fatalities and one missing crew member.

According to the ministry of external affairs (MEA), 21 of the 24 Indian crew members were rescued following the attack, while the remaining three had initially been reported missing.

Search and rescue efforts were carried out in coordination with Omani authorities.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes.

The MT Settebello, which was carrying an all-Indian crew, was not among the vessels sanctioned or blacklisted by US authorities.

Also read - Lives of seafarers important: India lodges protest with the US for ship attack as 3 Indians go missing

FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav said communication with the vessel remains disrupted, making it difficult to independently verify all details.

"We have been unable to establish a connection with the ship," Yadav told ANI.

"The latest information I have indicates that two have died, while the chief engineer is still reported as missing," Yadav added.

According to Yadav, the three affected crew members belonged to different parts of India.

"The three are from Himachal Pradesh, Deoria (Uttar Pradesh), and Andhra Pradesh," he said.

The attack occurred amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route that has witnessed repeated attacks on commercial vessels in recent weeks as the conflict in West Asia intensifies.

Earlier, the MEA condemned the attack on MT Settebello and said the Indian embassy in Oman was closely monitoring the situation.

"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and 03 Indians are reportedly missing.

Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation," the ministry said in a statement.

The government also expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region and the growing threat to commercial shipping.

"The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region."

The ministry said, "We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region."

Meanwhile, India has also formally protested the attack on the vessel.

MEA additional secretary (Americas) Nagaraj Naidu summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks and delivered a formal demarche over the strike, which left three Indian crew members unaccounted for.

The protest came amid concerns that commercial shipping vessels carrying Indian sailors have increasingly been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.

Indian officials reportedly stressed that the targeting of commercial shipping must stop and underscored the importance of protecting the lives of seafarers operating in international waters.

Yadav also questioned whether alternative measures could have been taken before military action was carried out against the vessel, arguing that US authorities would likely have been aware of the nationalities of those on board.

"I absolutely refuse to believe that the US lacked information regarding the nationalities of the people on board those ships.

That is simply not possible.

I am 101% certain that US naval forces knew exactly how many Indians and foreign nationals were on those vessels.

If the ships failed to heed their instructions, detaining them was a viable alternative," Yadav said.