New Delhi: A commercial vessel carrying 24 Indian crew members came under attack off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, leaving three Indian nationals missing,
the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The vessel, identified as Settebello, was attacked amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region. According to the MEA, 21 Indian crew members have been rescued while efforts are underway to trace the remaining three.
Search operation underway
In a statement, the MEA said, “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 ministry said the Indian Embassy in Oman is in constant touch with local authorities and is monitoring developments closely.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said it had received information about an incident involving a vessel off the Omani coast.
“We have learnt of an incident involving a vessel off the coast of Oman. We are closely monitoring the situation and in close touch with the local authorities. We shall update soon,” the embassy said in a post on X.
India summons US Chargé d’Affaires
Following the incident, India summoned Jason Meeks, the United States Chargé d’Affaires, to lodge a protest.
Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs, met Meeks after the attack on the vessel.
MEA calls for de-escalation
The ministry linked the repeated attacks on commercial shipping to the ongoing conflict in the region and urged all sides to reduce tensions.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region. 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.
It added that attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must stop and normal maritime trade routes should be restored in accordance with international law.
24 Indian sailors rescued a day earlier
The latest incident came just a day after 24 Indian seafarers aboard the Palau-flagged tanker MT Marivex were rescued following a fire incident south of the Strait of Hormuz.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there was communication between the vessel and the US Navy before the ship was disabled off the coast of Oman.
“The ship MT Marivex was disabled off the coast of Oman. We have learned that it is a Palau-flagged vessel. We also understand there was some exchange of communication between the ship and the US Navy before the incident. There were 24 crew members on board the ship, all of them being Indian nationals. They all have been rescued and are safe,” Jaiswal said.
