The family of Deoria resident Shivanand Chaurasia broke down after learning he was among the Indian seafarers killed in the MT Settebello incident.
File image: All 14 crew members of the Gujarat-owned cargo vessel MSV Haji Ali were rescued after the ship was struck near Oman’s coast. | IANS
Three Indian seafarers who were earlier reported missing after an incident involving the Palau-flagged MT Settebello off Oman have been confirmed dead, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
The update marks a grim turn in the case after earlier information from the Forward Seamen’s Union of India had said two Indian sailors were dead and one remained missing following an attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz.
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The incident involved 24 Indian crew members on board the MT Settebello. Of them, 21 were rescued, while three were initially reported missing.
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In a post on X, Sonowal said, “It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after two bodies were recovered.”
He said he had directed officials 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.
Among the deceased was Shivanand Chaurasia, a resident of Surauli village under Surauli police station limits in Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh.
His family was left devastated after receiving confirmation that he was among the three Indian sailors initially reported missing and later confirmed dead. Relatives and neighbours broke down after hearing the news.
Shivanand had been working at sea for several months to support his family.
His brother-in-law, Sanjay Chaurasia, said the family had last spoken to him shortly before the incident.
“We received information from the office; there are two children. We spoke the evening before last; he mentioned he was on an Iranian ship but didn’t say anything else,” he told ANI.
His father, Ramji Chaurasia, broke down while recalling their last conversation.
“We received news that a bomb hit the ship… the boy had left about 8-9 months ago… we spoke at 9 PM the night before last… he said everything was fine,” he said, before breaking into tears.
Neighbour Rohan Shahi said Shivanand was the sole breadwinner of the family and had worked hard to secure a job at sea.
“He was the sole breadwinner; he was gradually improving the family’s situation. He had struggled a lot to get this job on the ship… three young men became casualties in the attack on the ship, and he was one of them,” he said.
Earlier today, the Embassy of India in Muscat said it had learned of another incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman and was coordinating with local authorities.
“We have learnt of an incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman, earlier today. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the local authorities for further details,” the Embassy posted on X.
A vessel, MT Jalveer, has come under attack off the Oman coast
Embassy of India in Oman tweeted- “We have learnt of an incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman, earlier today. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the local authorities for… pic.twitter.com/ODObDVZHzs
— ANI (@ANI) June 11, 2026
Before Sonowal’s update, Forward Seamen’s Union of India General Secretary Manoj Yadav told ANI that two Indian sailors had been confirmed dead and one, identified as the Chief Engineer, was still missing.
“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 said the three affected sailors were from Himachal Pradesh, Deoria in Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Yadav, meanwhile, claimed that US naval forces would have been aware of the nationalities of those on board and said detention could have been considered 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% 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,” he told ANI.
The Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the broader security situation in the region, saying the continuing attacks on shipping were “deeply worrisome” and linked to the ongoing conflict in the region.
India reiterated its call for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution. “We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region,” the MEA said.
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