Hours after the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) reported that two Indian sailors had died and one remained missing, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the third crew member has also passed away. The identification of the three sailors are yet to be made public. The attack came amidst US' military renewed attack on Iran following shooting of an American Apache helicopter near Hormiz.
"Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified. I have directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites," Sonowal said on social media platform, X.
Earlier today, FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav said communication with the vessel has been severely disrupted, and details are still being verified. "We have been unable to establish a connection with the ship," Yadav told ANI, adding, "The latest information I have indicates that two have died, while the Chief Engineer is still reported as missing." He further said that the three affected sailors were from different Indian states. "The three are from Himachal Pradesh, Deoria (Uttar Pradesh), and Andhra Pradesh," he said.
US was well aware of Indian nationals on vessels
Yadav further said that he believes US naval forces were aware of the nationalities of those onboard the vessels and that detention could have been considered as an alternative if instructions were not followed. "I absolutely refuse to believe that the US lacked information regarding the nationalities of the people on board those ships. That is simply not possible. I am 101 per cent certain that US naval forces knew exactly how many Indians and foreign nationals were on those vessels. If the ships failed to heed their instructions, detaining them was a viable alternative," Yadav said.
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India summons US charge d'affaires
India on Wednesday summoned the US charge d'affaires to strongly protest a US military attack on a commercial vessel off the Oman coast that left three of the 24 Indian crew members missing. According to the sources of the agency PTI, Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks was handed a demarche or diplomatic note of protests over the incident.
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In its official reaction, New Delhi strongly condemned the strike and said the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in West Asia must end, and free and unimpeded navigation through the international waterways should be restored at the earliest.
The attack on commercial vessel Settebello came two days after a Palao-flagged vessel with 24 Indians came under attack of the US Navy as the ship tried to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports.
The US Central Command acknowledged the strike on the vessel saying it violated the ongoing US blockade of the Iranian ports by attempting to transport oil from Iran.
(With inputs from agency)