Three missing Indian seafarers onboard MT Settebello confirmed dead: Sonowal
Sad news first, three Indian seafarers aboard the tanker MT Settebello, attacked by US forces off Oman, are confirmed dead, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced. The US Central Command says the Palau-flagged vessel was breaching its blockade of Iranian ports when an American aircraft fired into its engine room. Why's this CLAT relevant? It connects three threads, the US-Iran conflict, the safety of India's huge seafaring workforce, and the legality of blockades and attacks on neutral merchant ships under international law. So for your prep, remember the ship's name Settebello, the location near the Strait of Hormuz, and India's strong protest to Washington.
Published- June 11, 2026 03:06 pm IST - New Delhi
A file photo of the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello, with 24 Indian seafarers on board, attacked by U.S. forces off the coast of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, on June 10, 2026.
ThreeIndian seafarers onboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello, initiallyreported missingafter the U.S. military strike on the commercial vessel off the Omani coast, are now confirmed dead, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday (June 11, 2026) after bodies were located and identified.
“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello,” Mr. Sonowal said in a social media post.
“Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified,” he added.
The Minister added that this is a “profound loss to our maritime family”.
“The Modi Govt stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin,” he added.
Mr. Sonowal said he has 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.
India on Wednesday (June 10, 2026)summoned the U.S. charge d’affairesto strongly protest a U.S. military attack on a commercial vessel off the Oman coast that left three of the 24 Indian crew members missing.
The U.S. Central Command acknowledged the strike, saying the vessel violated the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports by attempting to transport oil from Iran.
“The U.S. Central Command disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces,” it had said in a statement.
In its statement on Wednesday (June 10, 2026), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack.
“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 three Indians are reportedly missing,” it had said.
The incident came amid renewedhostilities between Iran and Israel.
Israel carried out air strikes in western and central Iran after Iran fired missiles at northern Israel.