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Attack On Ship Carrying Indian Crew Turns Deadly. (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: Two Indian sailors have lost their lives while a chief engineer remains missing after a commercial vessel came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI). Efforts to establish communication with the affected ship are ongoing as authorities work to verify the full extent of the incident.
FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav said contact with the vessel has been severely disrupted following the attack. Preliminary information received by the union indicates that two crew members were killed, while another remains unaccounted for.
According to Yadav, the three affected sailors hailed from different parts of India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district and Andhra Pradesh. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released.
The vessel reportedly carried a large Indian contingent among its crew, raising concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the conflict-prone region.
The attack occurred off the coast of Oman and involved the oil tanker Settebello, a Palau-flagged commercial vessel. Reports indicate that the strike damaged the ship’s engine room and triggered a fire onboard.
Of the 28 crew members aboard the tanker, 24 were Indian nationals. Authorities said that 21 Indian crew members have been rescued so far, while search operations continue for the missing personnel.
India strongly condemned the attack, describing assaults on commercial shipping in the region as deeply concerning. The government reiterated its call for restraint and urged all parties involved in the regional conflict to pursue diplomatic solutions.
The Ministry of External Affairs stressed the importance of protecting civilian vessels and ensuring safe navigation through international waterways. Following the incident, Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu reportedly summoned US chargé d’affaires Jason Meeks to formally convey India's concerns over the attack.
The incident has intensified worries over maritime security as tensions continue to rise across West Asia.
