Indian Envoy Assists Sailors Rescued After US Missile Strike Hits Tanker
Indian Ambassador to Oman Prashant Pise coordinated the safe return of 21 Indian seafarers rescued from the MT Settebello after a US missile strike off the Omani coast. The incident highlights growing security risks for merchant ships near the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid regional military tensions.
Highlights
- •Indian Ambassador Prashant Pise met with 21 rescued crew members from the MT Settebello.
- •The MT Settebello was hit by a US missile strike off the coast of Oman on June 10, resulting in three deaths.
- •This incident follows similar recent attacks on the merchant ships MT Marivex and MT Jalveer in the region.
- •India has raised concerns with the US regarding the safety of commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Indian government is managing the safe return of citizens caught in geopolitical tensions after an Indian envoy facilitated the repatriation of 21 seafarers. These crew members were rescued from the MT Settebello, a tanker that became a target in a recent military engagement. The incident underscores the escalating risks faced by commercial shipping crews operating near strategic maritime corridors.
Details of the Maritime Incident and Rescue
On June 10, the MT Settebello, a vessel flying the Palau flag, was struck by a US missile strike while navigating approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Oman. Tragically, the attack resulted in three fatalities out of the 24 Indian sailors on board. The remaining 21 crew members were successfully rescued and prepared for repatriation.
Prashant Pise, the Indian Ambassador to Oman, personally met with the survivors before their departure to express well-wishes and commend their resilience. The diplomatic mission emphasized its continued focus on ensuring the safety and welfare of all Indian nationals operating in these volatile international waters.
Rising Security Concerns in Strategic Waters
The attack on the MT Settebello is part of a broader pattern of maritime security threats affecting international trade. This incident marks the second time a merchant ship with an Indian crew has come under fire from the US military off the Oman coast in recent days. On June 8, the MT Marivex, also a Palau-flagged tanker carrying 24 Indian seafarers, was disabled by US forces, though all crew members were safely rescued.
Additionally, on June 11, the 22 Indian crew members aboard the MT Jalveer—a ship flagged by Guinea-Bissau—were evacuated following an attack near an Oman port. These repeated confrontations stem from a US military blockade of Iranian ports, which was initiated after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow passage is critical for global energy security, as approximately 20 percent of the world's energy supplies typically transit through it. India has officially declared these attacks on commercial vessels as deeply worrisome and has escalated the matter in discussions with the United States to safeguard the lives of its mariners and the stability of maritime logistics.
