Breaking Story: U.S. Attacks 3 Ships With Indians On Board; 3 Dead
Developing Story: Updated through 9:30 a.m. PDT.
MUSCAT/NEW DELHI – Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead following an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman, marking the deadliest of three recent incidents involving vessels carrying Indian crew members in waters near Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the three sailors, who were initially reported missing, had died after the incident.
“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.
The tanker had 28 crew members on board, including 24 Indians. Twenty-one Indian crew members were rescued. Sonowal said the government was arranging the repatriation of both the survivors and the mortal remains of the deceased.
According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. forces disabled the vessel in the Gulf of Oman after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces. CENTCOM said a U.S. military aircraft fired precision munitions into the tanker’s engine room.
The Settebello incident was one of three recent maritime emergencies involving vessels carrying Indian crews in the region.
Earlier in the week, MT Marivex, a Palau-flagged tanker carrying 24 Indian seafarers, suffered a fire south of the Strait of Hormuz. All crew members were reported safe. Reports later linked the incident to U.S. military action in the Gulf of Oman.
The latest incident occurred on June 11 when MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel carrying 20 Indian crew members, came under attack near Oman’s Shinas Port. All crew members were reported safe, and evacuation efforts were coordinated with assistance from the Royal Navy of Oman.
In all, the three vessels carried 68 Indian seafarers. While 65 were rescued safely, three lost their lives aboard MT Settebello.
India strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel and said the continuing incidents affecting shipping in the region were deeply worrying and a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“The continuing attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and are a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict there. These attacks must cease, and we also call for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure an early return to peace and stability in the region,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated its call for immediate de-escalation and renewed its appeal for a diplomatic solution to restore peace and stability.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) also expressed concern over the growing number of incidents affecting shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz and called for a full and transparent investigation into the Settebello incident.
According to the IMO, dozens of attacks on international shipping have been recorded in and around the Strait of Hormuz since late February.
With commercial vessels increasingly caught in regional tensions, Indian officials have reiterated that the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers remain a top priority. (IANS)
