Three Indian seafarers are confirmed to have died after a US strike on a tanker off the coast of Oman, New Delhi’s shipping minister has said. Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths after the three crew members had initially been reported missing following the attack on the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello. Twenty-one other Indian seafarers were rescued.
India’s foreign ministry had earlier condemned the incident and said its embassy in Oman was working with local authorities during the search and rescue operation. The ministry did not identify the US military as being responsible for the strike or refer to the American naval blockade of Iranian ports. Speaking on Wednesday, it said: “We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today,” adding, “Our embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation.”
The US military said the tanker was targeted as it attempted to breach the American blockade by carrying a shipment of Iranian oil. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the Settebello is the eighth merchant vessel disabled by US forces since the blockade began.
CENTCOM said: “At 11:14 p.m. on June 9, U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for the second consecutive day after another vessel violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.
“CENTCOM forces have disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.”
Mr Sonowal confirmed the fate of the missing crew members in a statement issued on Thursday.
He said: “It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello.
“Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified.”
The incident is the latest to raise tensions in the strategically important waters off Oman and the Gulf of Oman, where commercial shipping has been affected by the ongoing conflict involving the US and Iran.
The two crew members were rescued by an unmanned sea drone in what officials told CBS News was the first operation of its kind carried out by the US military.
