India has strongly condemned the attack on the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello off the coast of Oman, as 21 of the 24 Indian crew members onboard were rescued while three remain missing. The incident occurred on Tuesday, marking the second maritime attack involving Indian sailors in just two days.
Details of the Attack
The tanker reported an engine room fire near the port of Sohar, prompting an emergency response. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that its forces disabled the vessel after it allegedly failed to comply with instructions. The exact nature of the attack is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest a possible explosive device or projectile struck the ship.
Rescue Operations Underway
The Indian Embassy in Muscat is actively coordinating rescue efforts with Omani authorities. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 21 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated and are receiving necessary medical and consular assistance. The remaining three crew members are being searched for in the surrounding waters. The MEA reiterated its strong condemnation of any form of maritime violence and expressed solidarity with the affected families.
This incident follows a similar attack on another vessel in the region just a day earlier, raising concerns about the safety of commercial shipping lanes near the Arabian Sea. Indian officials have urged the international community to take collective action against such threats to maritime security.
The Settebello, a chemical tanker, was carrying a cargo of petroleum products when the incident occurred. CENTCOM confirmed that no US personnel were harmed during the operation to disable the vessel. The cause of the fire and the attack is being probed jointly by Indian and Omani agencies.
