Three Indians went reportedly missing after the US military launched an attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
"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.
India condemned the recent attack and said that the continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a "direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region".
The statement comes soon after Reuters reported that two crew members went missing and one got injured after the United States launched a fresh missile strike on a tanker off Oman coast.
The Ministry reiterated its 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 Middle East region.
"The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region in keeping with international law must be restored at the earliest," it said in the statement.
The Indian Embassy in Oman issued a statement earlier saying that it is closely monitoring the situation and is in close touch with the local authorities.
"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," it said in a post on X.
Also read: India-crewed tanker hit near Iran, MEA says communication between ship & US Navy preceded strike
US strikes vessel off Oman coast
"This was likely the result of U.S. operations to blockade Iranian ports," British maritime security group Ambrey told Reuters. "In the past, crews have been warned to gather on the bow of a vessel before an attack on the stern."
A second maritime security source told the news agency that the vessel was likely to have been hit by a US missile.
According to United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency, the attacked ship was a Palau-flagged chemical/oil products tanker which reported an engine room fire 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman's port of Sohar.
The vessel was the Settebello, Reuters reported, citing British maritime risk management group Vanguard, which said the Omani Navy responded to the ship's distress call.
It was partially laden and last located off Oman's coast on June 1, according to the ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic.
The fresh strikes arrive a day after the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said that 24 Indian crew members of a Palau-flagged merchant tanker were rescued in coordination with Omani authorities, following a "missile attack" on the vessel off the coast of Oman.
Also read: India summons US chargé d’affaires over attack on vessel with 24 Indian crew off Oman coast
US military confirms attack
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement, confirming the attack on oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for the second consecutive day after it violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.
"At 11:14 p.m. (Local Time) on June 9, U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman for the second consecutive day after another vessel violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran," it said.
The military disabled Palau-flagged M/T Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman, the statement read, adding that a US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.
America claimed that its forces have disabled eight non-compliant vessels, redirected 134 ships that complied, and allowed 42 vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass since initiating the blockade on April 13.
India summons US chargé d’affaires over attack on vessel
Indian authorities summoned Jason Meeks, Chargé d’Affaires of the US over attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas), summoned the US diplomat as India condemned the attack and expressed concern over the continued targeting of commercial shipping in the region.
