Calling the incident a tragedy, Sonowal said the bodies of the three missing crew members had been located and identified. In a statement posted on social media, the minister said it was deeply unfortunate to learn of the 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,” Sonowal said, describing the deaths as a profound loss to the maritime community.
The minister stated that the Government of India stands firmly with the bereaved families during this difficult period and remains fully committed to supporting the next of kin. He further said that officials have been directed 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 development comes a day after India summoned the United States Charge d’Affaires to lodge a strong protest over the military attack on the commercial vessel off the Oman coast. The strike left three of the 24 Indian crew members unaccounted for at the time of the incident.
The United States Central Command acknowledged carrying out the strike, stating that the vessel had allegedly violated an ongoing United States blockade of Iranian ports by attempting to transport oil from Iran. According to the American military, the Palau-flagged MT Settebello was disabled while transiting the Gulf of Oman. It said a United States aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions issued by American forces.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on the vessel. The ministry had stated that 21 of the 24 Indian crew members onboard had been rescued, while three Indians were reported missing. It also expressed concern over the attack and closely monitored developments surrounding the rescue operation.
The incident unfolded amid renewed hostilities in the region. Israel carried out air strikes in western and central Iran after Iran launched missile attacks targeting northern Israel, further escalating tensions across West Asia.
The confirmation of the deaths marks a tragic conclusion to the search for the missing Indian crew members and has intensified concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and civilian maritime personnel operating in one of the world’s most volatile waterways.
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