Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat

Muscat, Jun 17: The mortal remains of two Indian sailors who lost their lives in the attack on the vessel MT Settebello have been repatriated to India, the Indian Embassy in Oman said on Wednesday, expressing condolences to their grieving families.

In a post on X, the Embassy confirmed that the bodies of Aditya Sharma and Shivanand Chaurasiya had been sent back to India.

"The mortal remains of Mr. Aditya Sharma and Mr. Shivanand Chaurasiya, who tragically lost their lives in the attack on MT Settebello, have been repatriated to India. Our heartfelt condolences remain with their families during this difficult time," the Embassy said.

The Embassy had earlier announced that all 21 Indian crew members rescued from the vessel were returning safely to India from Oman. Before their departure, India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, met the sailors, conveyed his best wishes and praised their courage during the ordeal.

According to the Embassy, the Palau-flagged MT Settebello was around 30 nautical miles off the coast of Sohar in Oman when it came under attack. Authorities in Oman were immediately alerted after the incident, triggering a search and rescue operation.

While 21 Indian nationals were rescued successfully, three crew members lost their lives in the incident.

"MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged vessel, was about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Sohar, Oman, at the time of the attack. Oman Maritime Security Centre was informed immediately, following which relevant Omani authorities initiated search and rescue operations. Twenty-one Indian crew members were rescued, while three seafarers lost their lives in the tragic incident," the Embassy said.

The incident has also triggered a diplomatic response from India.

On June 13, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed India's strong protest over the strike carried out by the US Navy, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to formally register India's objections over repeated attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian nationals in the Gulf of Oman.

India expressed serious concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping, stating that such actions threaten the safety and stability of international maritime trade in an already sensitive region.

The MEA said these actions were "unacceptable" and stressed that they undermine global maritime security.

India also urged the United States to ensure that its forces operating in the region take all necessary precautions to prevent civilian casualties in future operations.

The US military has acknowledged conducting the strike. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces targeted the vessel after it allegedly failed to obey instructions from US naval personnel and was suspected of transporting Iranian oil in violation of an existing US blockade.

CENTCOM stated that one of its aircraft disabled the tanker after repeated attempts to secure compliance from the crew were unsuccessful.