Three Indian sailors died after U.S. forces attacked the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman on Wednesday [1], [4].
The incident highlights the increasing risks for merchant mariners operating in the Gulf of Oman and the Hormuz Strait, a critical global shipping lane. The strike on a civilian vessel underscores the volatility of the region and the potential for collateral casualties during military operations.
The attack occurred June 10, 2026 [5]. Reports place the location off Oman's Shinas port [1] or near the Hormuz Strait in the Gulf of Oman [3].
The MT Settebello carried a crew of 28 members [3]. This included 24 Indian nationals and four other crew members: two from Pakistan, one from Ukraine, and one from Russia [3]. While some reports initially indicated that 20 Indians aboard the vessel were safe [2], other reports confirmed that three Indian sailors were killed in the strike [4].
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal addressed the incident on Thursday. "It is a tragic loss," Sonowal said [6].
The U.S. military carried out the strike, though the specific motive for targeting the vessel has not been disclosed [5]. The event marks a significant escalation in the dangers facing international crews in the region, especially those from India, who make up a large portion of the global seafaring workforce.
“"It is a tragic loss."”
This incident emphasizes the precarious position of neutral merchant vessels and their multinational crews during geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East. The death of Indian nationals in a U.S. military operation may complicate diplomatic relations and increase pressure on the Indian government to provide stronger security guarantees for its seafarers in high-risk corridors.
