ANI photo NEW DELHI: Three merchant ships with Indian crew members have come under attack from the US Navy off the Oman coast in the last four days, resulting in the death of three Indians, said govt, which lodged a strong protest with US and asserted attacks should stop. The number of Indian seafarers killed has increased to seven since the West Asia conflict broke out on Feb 28.This is also for the first time that India has acknowledged US Navy targeting the ships. While two Palau-flagged oil tankers — Marivex and Settebello — came under attack on June 8 and 10, Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker ‘MT Jalveer’, with 20 Indians, was attacked on Thursday.Shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted, “It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified. This is a profound loss to our maritime family.” He said govt stands firmly with the bereaved is fully committed to supporting the next of kin.ALSO READ | Projectile penetrated vessel’s hull, was lodged in fuel tankIndia Lodges Strong Protest With US21 remaining Indian crew on vessel evacuated: MEA Later, Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary in the shipping ministry, said all the remaining 25 crew members of the Settebello — 21 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Ukrainian — have been safely evacuated. He added that Seamen Welfare Fund Society has been asked to pay Rs 10 lakh to the family of each deceased.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said two of the three vessels that came under attack were subject to sanctions administered by the US treasury’s office of foreign assets control, while the Settebello had been classified as non-compliant.OFAC acts against vessels involved in violating US sanctions on the sale of Iranian and Russian oil.Following the attack on the Settebello on Wednesday, MEA had summoned US charge d’affaires Jason Meeks and he was handed a demarche, or diplomatic note of protest.Responding to another question on the number of India seafarers in the Gulf region, Mangal said more than 18,000 Indian seafarers remained in the West Asia region, including 562 crew members aboard 13 Indian-flagged ships — 329 on vessels on the west of Strait of Hormuz and 233 on vessels in Gulf of Oman. Meanwhile, Congress on Thursday condemned “reckless military actions” by the US and demanded that govt to take necessary diplomatic measures to establish accountability.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFalta Strongman Paraded In Shorts By Cops After Arrest In Falta | WatchAll 28 Chief Ministers Attend NITI Aayog Meeting, Marking End of Recent Boycott TrendKirti Azad Dismisses Exit Talks, Says Didi Will Fix Kalyan Banerjee Dispute | WatchCongress Sweeps Three Of Four Karnataka Rs Seats As Poll Ends Without ContestBJP Wins All Three MP Rajya Sabha Seats Unopposed After Congress Nominee RejectedRam Mandir Funds Issue Takes New Turn With Call For Investigation; Calls For Accountability Emerge’Abhishek Banerjee Destroyed TMC’: Suspended Leader Riju Dutta Launches Fresh AttackIndia-Bangladesh Border Standoff Leaves 55-year-old Stranded In No-Man’s LandEggs Thrown At Arrested TMC Leader Sukumar Dutta During Court Transit In Durgapur | Watch’Will Not Abandon Mamata’: Shatrughan Sinha Rejects Split Talk, Reaffirms Loyalty To ‘Joda Phool’123PhotostoriesInland Taipan changes colour with the seasons: Inside the strange and dramatic seasonal color change explainedIs your child carrying emotional baggage? 6 subtle signs and what parents can do to help“This will help prevent…and improve..” Why did Amit Shah praise this rice varietyShoaib Malik to Glenn Maxwell: 7 international cricketers who married Indian women27-year-old woman shares 5 reasons she doesn’t want to get married earlyNo crowds, no chaos: This remote Himalayan valley in Uttarkhand feels frozen in time5 venomous snakes you’ll only find in Africa and where to spot them5 things fathers should never do and how these mistakes affect a child’s personality5 surprising health benefits of cow gheeFrom MMS scam to sponsors seeking sexual favours: Ranjini Haridas opens up about ill experiences in her career123Hot PicksOpendoor IndiaNitish Kumar SonForm 26ASIND vs AFG Live ScoreDeclan RiceGuru Randhawa gym firingTMC rebel MP listCJP ProtestHow to Watch FIFA world cup highlightsTop TrendingHaryana Gym Owner MurderGuru Randhawa Gym FiringGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireSingappen Special ForceCJP ProtestCBSE Class 10 Second Board ResultBengaluru Child DeathKarnataka Murder
NEW DELHI: Three merchant ships with Indian crew members have come under attack from the US Navy off the Oman coast in the last four days, resulting in the death of three Indians, said govt, which lodged a strong protest with US and asserted attacks should stop. The number of Indian seafarers killed has increased to seven since the West Asia conflict broke out on Feb 28.This is also for the first time that India has acknowledged US Navy targeting the ships. While two Palau-flagged oil tankers — Marivex and Settebello — came under attack on June 8 and 10, Guinea-Bissau-flagged bitumen tanker ‘MT Jalveer’, with 20 Indians, was attacked on Thursday.Shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted, “It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified. This is a profound loss to our maritime family.” He said govt stands firmly with the bereaved is fully committed to supporting the next of kin.ALSO READ | Projectile penetrated vessel’s hull, was lodged in fuel tank
India Lodges Strong Protest With US
21 remaining Indian crew on vessel evacuated: MEA
Later, Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary in the shipping ministry, said all the remaining 25 crew members of the Settebello — 21 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Ukrainian — have been safely evacuated. He added that Seamen Welfare Fund Society has been asked to pay Rs 10 lakh to the family of each deceased.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said two of the three vessels that came under attack were subject to sanctions administered by the US treasury’s office of foreign assets control, while the Settebello had been classified as non-compliant.OFAC acts against vessels involved in violating US sanctions on the sale of Iranian and Russian oil.Following the attack on the Settebello on Wednesday, MEA had summoned US charge d’affaires Jason Meeks and he was handed a demarche, or diplomatic note of protest.Responding to another question on the number of India seafarers in the Gulf region, Mangal said more than 18,000 Indian seafarers remained in the West Asia region, including 562 crew members aboard 13 Indian-flagged ships — 329 on vessels on the west of Strait of Hormuz and 233 on vessels in Gulf of Oman. Meanwhile, Congress on Thursday condemned “reckless military actions” by the US and demanded that govt to take necessary diplomatic measures to establish accountability.
