New Delhi: The death of three Indian seafarers following a US military strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman has triggered diplomatic concern and renewed attention on escalating tensions in the region’s vital shipping routes.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the three crew members, who were initially reported missing after the attack, have now been found dead. The victims were identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh.
The tanker, MT Settebello, was sailing under the Palau flag and carried a crew of 28, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign citizens. According to officials, 21 Indian crew members were rescued following the incident, while efforts were launched to locate the missing sailors.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Sonowal described the deaths as a major loss for India’s maritime community. He said the government is extending full support to the families of the deceased and has directed authorities to expedite the return of both the rescued crew members and the mortal remains of those who lost their lives.
The vessel came under attack after US Central Command alleged that it had failed to comply with instructions from American forces and was transporting oil originating from Iran. US authorities stated that precision munitions were used to disable the tanker as part of enforcement measures linked to an ongoing blockade involving Iranian oil shipments.
India has strongly condemned the attack, noting that 24 Indian nationals were on board when the vessel was targeted. New Delhi described the incident as deeply concerning and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions in the region.
The Indian government also lodged a formal protest with the United States by summoning its senior diplomatic representative in New Delhi.
The strike comes amid continuing instability in the Gulf region, where competing restrictions on maritime traffic have severely disrupted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global energy supplies.
