Three Indian seafarers who had been reported missing after the MT Settebello attack off the coast of Oman have now been confirmed dead, marking a tragic escalation in an incident that has raised serious concerns about maritime security in one of the world’s most sensitive shipping corridors. The confirmation came from India’s Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who said the bodies of the missing crew members had been located and identified.
The Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello was carrying 24 Indian crew members when it was struck near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering an emergency rescue operation coordinated by Omani authorities. While most of the crew were rescued, three sailors initially remained unaccounted for. Their deaths have now transformed the Oman tanker attack into one of the deadliest maritime incidents involving Indian nationals in the region in recent years.
The development comes amid growing international concern over attacks on commercial shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit point through which a significant share of the world’s oil supplies passes. The International Maritime Organization has reported dozens of attacks on international shipping in and around the area since February, highlighting increasing risks faced by merchant vessels and civilian crews.
Government Vows Support for Families of Indian Seafarers Killed
Announcing the confirmation of the deaths, Sarbananda Sonowal expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the crew members and described the incident as a profound tragedy for India’s maritime community. He stated that the government would extend all possible assistance to the families of the deceased and ensure that the bodies are brought back to India without delay.
The minister further indicated that officials had been instructed to facilitate the immediate repatriation of the surviving crew members and coordinate the return of the deceased sailors for their final rites. The government has also continued diplomatic engagement regarding the circumstances surrounding the MT Settebello attack.
Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the strike on the commercial vessel and confirmed that 21 Indian crew members had been rescued while search efforts were underway for the missing sailors. The ministry also stressed that continued attacks on commercial shipping in the region remain deeply concerning and pose a threat to civilian maritime operations.
Maritime Security Concerns Intensify Around the Strait of Hormuz
The Oman tanker attack has renewed scrutiny of maritime security in the Gulf region. Industry experts note that commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz face elevated risks whenever geopolitical tensions escalate. The narrow waterway remains one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes, making any disruption a matter of international concern.
Maritime analysts argue that the deaths of the Indian seafarers killed in the incident underscore the growing vulnerability of civilian crews working aboard commercial vessels. Experts have repeatedly warned that merchant sailors often become unintended victims when military operations and geopolitical disputes spill into major shipping routes.
The International Maritime Organization has called for a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. The organization has also emphasized that the safety of seafarers and freedom of navigation must remain paramount under international law.
Adding to concerns, reports emerged on Thursday of another incident involving a merchant vessel with Indian crew members near Oman, prompting fresh monitoring efforts by Indian authorities and the Indian Embassy in Muscat.
MT Settebello Attack Highlights Risks Faced by Global Shipping
The MT Settebello attack is likely to intensify discussions about the protection of commercial shipping in conflict-prone waters. For India, one of the world’s largest suppliers of maritime manpower, the deaths of three sailors highlight the dangers faced by thousands of Indian seafarers working aboard international vessels.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the families of the victims, ensuring the safe return of surviving crew members, and strengthening measures to protect merchant shipping in increasingly volatile maritime regions. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of instability in critical global trade corridors and the urgent need for enhanced safeguards for civilian maritime workers.