New Delhi: Three Indian seafarers who were initially reported missing have been confirmed dead after a vessel came under attack by US forces off the coast of Oman earlier this week, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. Calling the incident a “tragic” loss, the minister confirmed that the bodies of all three missing sailors had been recovered and identified.

The Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello was carrying a crew of 28 members, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals — two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian — when it was struck by US military forces in the Gulf of Oman. The US military claimed it targeted the vessel after it allegedly failed to comply with instructions and was transporting oil from Iran.

Initially, it was reported that 21 Indian sailors had been rescued, while three others — deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya, and chief engineer Patnala Suresh — remained missing.

“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, the three Indian seafarers who were initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after their bodies were located and identified,” Sonowal said in a post on X.

“This is a profound loss to our maritime family. The Modi government stands firmly with the bereaved families during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin. I have directed officials to ensure the immediate repatriation of rescued crew members and the swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites,” he added.

India Condemns Attack

The ship’s management company has reportedly faced difficulties in maintaining stable communication with the remaining crew members aboard the vessel.

The casualties occurred after US Central Command forces used precision-guided weapons to strike the oil tanker off the Oman coast, alleging that it had violated restrictions on Iranian oil shipments.

India condemned the incident, stating that 24 Indian nationals were aboard the vessel when it came under attack while attempting to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and are a direct result of the ongoing conflict. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation,” the Indian government said.

US Central Command later confirmed the strike, stating that the Palau-flagged Settebello had violated the US blockade on Iranian oil shipments. It said one of its aircraft fired on the tanker, disabling the vessel while it was allegedly transporting oil from Iran.

In a post on X, US Central Command identified the vessel and claimed that its “crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.”

India Lodges Protest

India has summoned Washington’s charge d’affaires in New Delhi to lodge a “strong protest” over the attack, a senior Indian government official said.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global energy supplies, has remained largely blocked since the beginning of the Middle East conflict, which escalated after US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

Efforts to reopen the strategic shipping route during a fragile ceasefire in recent weeks have failed to produce an agreement. Iran has maintained a blockade of the shipping lane since the conflict began, while the US has imposed its own restrictions since April.