The vessel, carrying 28 crew members including 24 Indians, was struck by US Central Command forces in the Gulf of Oman. The US said the tanker failed to comply with instructions and was allegedly transporting Iranian oil.
BY PC Bureau
June 11, 2026: Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead following a US military strike on a Palau-flagged oil tanker off the coast of Oman earlier this week, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday. The sailors had initially been reported missing after the incident.
Calling the loss “tragic,” the minister said the bodies of all three crew members have now been recovered and identified, and efforts are underway to bring them back to India for their final rites.
The Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello had 28 crew members on board at the time of the incident, including 24 Indians and four foreign nationals — two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian. According to earlier reports, 21 Indian sailors were rescued, while three remained missing.
The deceased have been identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya, and chief engineer Patnala Suresh.
A day after India summoned the #US Chargé d’Affaires over the strike on the tanker Settebello, in which three Indian seafarers were later confirmed dead, another vessel MT Jalveer, has been hit near the coast of Oman, with Indian sailors said to be onboard. India had already… pic.twitter.com/RM2QGDVDWR
— IDU (@defencealerts) June 11, 2026
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In a post on X, Sonowal expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that the government stands firmly with the families and is committed to ensuring the swift repatriation of mortal remains and support for the next of kin.
The vessel came under attack by US Central Command forces in the Gulf of Oman. The US military later stated that the strike was carried out after the tanker allegedly failed to comply with instructions and was suspected of transporting Iranian oil in violation of restrictions.
According to US Central Command, the vessel repeatedly ignored directions from American forces, prompting a precision strike that disabled the ship.
The incident has triggered diplomatic tension, with India summoning the US charge d’affaires in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest. India described the attack as “deeply worrisome,” noting that 24 Indian nationals were aboard the vessel and urging immediate de-escalation in the region.
The government said attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf were a serious concern amid escalating regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and competing maritime enforcement actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
