US Strikes Oil Tanker Off Oman; Three Indian Sailors Killed
Al Jazeera Staff
Three Indian sailors died in a US strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off Oman on June 10. The same day, another tanker, MT Jalveer flying the flag of Guinea-Bissau, was attacked, but all 20 Indian crew members are safe.
Three Indian sailors were killed following a US military strike on June 10 targeting the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman. The three had previously been reported missing, Indian Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed on June 11.
Mr. Sonowal stated: "It is painful to learn of the tragic incident aboard the MT Settebello. The three Indian crew members previously missing have been confirmed dead after the bodies were located and identified. I have directed authorities to ensure the immediate repatriation of rescued sailors and the return of the deceased for last rites."
According to The Hindu, citing Manoj Yadav, Secretary General of the Indian Seafarers' Union (FSUI), the victims were deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine cadet Shivanand Chaurasiya, and chief engineer Patnala Suresh.
The MT Settebello had 24 Indian crew members. Earlier, India's Ministry of External Affairs summoned a senior US diplomat in New Delhi to "strongly protest" the attack.
Third Attack This Week
On June 11, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Guinea-Bissau-flagged oil tanker MT Jalveer was also attacked by the US Navy, shortly after the US military announced it had neutralized a third oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated: "CENTCOM conducted action against the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer as it attempted to transport oil from Iran through the Gulf of Oman. A US aircraft launched two Hellfire missiles into the ship's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces."
British maritime risk management firm Vanguard confirmed that the crew sent a distress signal off the port of Shinas in Oman after a fire erupted in the engine room and funnel. All 20 Indian crew members on board are safe and being evacuated, according to an Indian Shipping Ministry official.
Social media images posted by FSUI showed sailors being hoisted by helicopter from the vessel while thick black smoke billowed from the bridge and cabins.
The Indian embassy in Oman said it was coordinating with local authorities on the matter.
Earlier, on June 8, Omani authorities evacuated 24 Indian sailors from the vessel Marivex after a US attack. CENTCOM said it disabled the Settebello and Marivex for violating US sanctions on Iran. According to the US military, the Settebello was attempting to transport oil from Iran, while the Marivex was seeking to enter an Iranian port.
Analyst Torbjorn Soltved at global risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft noted that the fragile ceasefire in the US-Israel war on Iran is facing increased pressure from "low-intensity conflict" in recent days. "The main issue now is that both sides are trying to negotiate from a position of strength. The US wants to increase pressure on Iran, while Iran believes that putting pressure on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will increase pressure on the global economy, giving them leverage in talks."
The attacks come as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit next week.
