New Delhi, June 11: Two Indian crew members aboard an oil tanker attacked by US forces off the coast of Oman have been confirmed dead, while another Indian sailor remains missing, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI).
The vessel, MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, came under attack after it allegedly attempted to breach a maritime blockade enforced by the United States near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.
FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav said communication with the vessel remains disrupted and that information received so far indicates that two Indian sailors have died in the incident.
“We have been unable to establish contact with the ship. The latest information suggests that two crew members have been killed, while the Chief Engineer is still missing,” Yadav said, as per ANI news agency.
According to the union, the deceased include a cadet and a fitter. The three Indian crew members reported missing after the attack belong to Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned the strike on the commercial vessel and expressed concern over the safety of Indian nationals onboard.
“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman. Of the 24 Indian crew members onboard, 21 have been rescued while three Indians were initially reported missing,” the MEA said in a statement.
The ministry said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely coordinating with Omani authorities and monitoring ongoing search and rescue operations.
The government also voiced concern over the worsening security situation in the region, describing repeated attacks on commercial shipping as a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict.
“The continued attacks on shipping in the region are deeply concerning. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution to restore peace and stability,” the statement added.
Yadav questioned whether the use of force was justified, arguing that international maritime procedures could have allowed authorities to detain the vessel instead of attacking it.
“I do not believe the US naval forces were unaware of the nationalities of the crew onboard. Maritime regulations require complete crew manifests, including names and nationalities, to be filed at ports. If the vessel had failed to comply with instructions, it could have been detained,” he said.
The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers operating in the strategically sensitive Gulf region, where tensions have escalated in recent months.
Further details regarding the missing Indian sailor and the circumstances surrounding the strike are awaited.
