US Strike Off Oman Coast Kills Three Indian Sailors, Bodies Recovered And Identified

Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead after a commercial tanker, MT Settebello, was struck in a United States military operation off the coast of Oman, marking a sharp escalation in maritime tensions in the region. The vessel, flagged under Palau and carrying 24 Indian crew members, was travelling through the Gulf of Oman when it came under attack earlier this week, triggering a large-scale rescue and diplomatic response.

According to official statements, 21 Indian crew members were rescued by Omani authorities following the incident, while three others were initially reported missing. Their bodies have now been located and identified, confirming the fatalities. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as a “profound loss” to India’s maritime community and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.

The Indian government has strongly protested the strike, summoning the United States chargé d’affaires in New Delhi to lodge a formal complaint. The Ministry of External Affairs termed the targeting of commercial shipping “deeply worrisome” and raised concerns over the safety of civilian seafarers operating in increasingly volatile waters. Officials have also coordinated with Indian missions abroad and Omani authorities to ensure the repatriation of survivors and the mortal remains.

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The MT Settebello was reportedly en route from China’s Lianyungang port to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates when it was hit. The vessel carried a multinational crew, including 24 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Russian, and one Ukrainian. The strike reportedly caused a fire in the engine room, leading to emergency distress calls and subsequent rescue operations by regional maritime authorities.

The incident has intensified concerns over the security of key global shipping lanes passing through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. Maritime agencies and shipping unions have warned of growing risks to civilian vessels amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region, with multiple recent incidents involving commercial ships reported in the same maritime corridor.

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