US Strike Kills Three Indian Sailors on Tanker in Gulf of Oman

Three Indian sailors were tragically killed in a US military strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, an incident that has rapidly escalated diplomatic tensions between India and the United States. The attack, which occurred late on Tuesday, June 9, or early Wednesday, June 10, 2026, saw the US military target the vessel for allegedly attempting to transport oil from Iran in violation of an American blockade. India's Shipping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, officially confirmed the deaths of the three Indian seafarers – Shivang Chaurasia (engine fitter), Aditya Sharma (deck cadet), and Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh. Initially reported missing after the strike, their deaths were later verified, with two bodies recovered as of June 11, 2026. Minister Sonowal expressed deep sorrow over the 'profound loss to our maritime family' and directed officials to ensure the immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and the swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites. The MT Settebello had a total crew of 28 individuals, comprising 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals – two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian. Twenty-one Indian sailors were successfully rescued from the stricken vessel, while efforts continued for the recovery of the remaining bodies. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and summoned the senior US diplomat in New Delhi, the US chargé d'affaires/deputy chief of mission, to lodge a "strong protest" over the incident. India emphasized the importance of the lives of seafarers and raised concerns about the ongoing attacks on commercial shipping. US Central Command (CENTCOM) publicly acknowledged the strike, stating that a US aircraft had fired "precision munitions into the ship's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces". CENTCOM asserted that the Settebello had "violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran." The US has maintained a blockade against Iranian ports since April 13, 2026, as part of its broader strategy amidst a widening US-Israel conflict with Iran that commenced on February 28, 2026. This incident involving the Settebello is not isolated but is part of a concerning pattern of maritime disruptions and attacks in the strategically vital Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz. Just two days prior, on June 8, 2026, another Palau-flagged oil tanker, the MT Marivex, also carrying 24 Indian crew members, was struck and disabled by US forces in the Gulf of Oman for similar reasons. Fortunately, all crew members on the Marivex were safely evacuated. The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, characterized by a series of missile and drone strikes on commercial vessels, have made transiting the Strait of Hormuz highly perilous. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez, had previously urged companies and vessel masters to avoid transiting the strait due to significant and unmitigable risks to seafarers' lives, emphasizing that no commercial or operational consideration justifies such danger. India's robust response underscores its concern for the safety of its large seafaring population, which constitutes a significant portion of the global maritime workforce. The incident has drawn attention to the precarious position of Indian seafarers caught in international conflicts and geopolitical rivalries. The government is actively working with Omani authorities in search and rescue operations and for the logistical arrangements for the deceased and rescued crew members. The event further highlights the urgent need for de-escalation in the Gulf region to ensure the unhindered and safe passage of international shipping and the protection of civilian lives.

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