Two Indian sailors have died and a third, identified as the Chief Engineer, remains missing after an attack on commercial vessel MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India said on Thursday.
The latest update comes after the Ministry of External Affairs had said that 21 of the 24 Indian crew members onboard the vessel had been rescued, while three Indians were still missing. The incident has again put the spotlight on the safety of Indian seafarers in the region, where attacks on shipping have drawn concern from New Delhi.
FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav told ANI that communication with the vessel had been badly hit and that the union was still trying to verify the details.
“We have been unable to establish a connection with the ship,” Yadav said, adding, “The latest information I have indicates that two have died, while the Chief Engineer is still reported as missing.”
According to Yadav, the three affected Indian sailors belonged to Himachal Pradesh, Deoria in Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
“The three are from Himachal Pradesh, Deoria (Uttar Pradesh), and Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
Yadav also raised questions over the handling of the situation, saying he believed US naval forces would have known the nationalities of those onboard the vessel.
“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,” Yadav told ANI.
What MEA said on the MT Settebello attack off Oman
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs had condemned the attack on MT Settebello off the coast of Oman and said the Indian Embassy in Oman was coordinating with local authorities.
“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and 03 Indians are reportedly missing. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation,” the MEA said in a statement.
The MEA also linked the continuing attacks on shipping in the region to the wider conflict in the area.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region,” it said.
India reiterated its call for de-escalation, saying, “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.”