VOI World/ Desk
Three Indian sailors who went missing after a US strike on a commercial tanker off the coast of Oman have been confirmed dead, as another vessel carrying Indian crew members came under attack in the same region, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers operating in West Asian waters.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the three missing crew members aboard the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello have been identified and declared deceased. The sailors have been identified as Aditya Sharma, 23, from Himachal Pradesh; Patnala Suresh, 44, from Visakhapatnam; and Shivnand Chaurasia, 38, from Uttar Pradesh.
The deaths come days after India lodged a strong protest with the United States following the strike on the tanker, which was carrying 24 Indian crew members. Twenty-one crew members were rescued, while the three sailors were initially reported missing.
In a further escalation, a third merchant vessel staffed by Indian seafarers was reportedly targeted near Oman within four days. The latest incident involved the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker MV Jalveer, which was carrying 20 Indian crew members. No casualties were reported in the attack.
The recent incidents follow an earlier strike on another tanker, MV Marivex, which was carrying 24 Indian crew members. All sailors aboard that vessel were rescued safely.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly stressed the importance of protecting Indian seafarers working in international waters and has raised concerns with the American side over the attacks. The government has also assured support to the families of the deceased sailors and is facilitating the repatriation process.
The developments have drawn attention to the growing risks faced by Indian maritime workers as tensions continue to affect commercial shipping routes in the Gulf region. India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, with thousands of Indian nationals employed on international merchant vessels operating across global trade corridors.
