Three Indian sailors who were reported missing after a US military attack on the cargo vessel MT Cettebello near the coast of Oman have been confirmed dead. India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced that the bodies of the three crew members have been recovered and identified. In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the minister expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it a major tragedy for India’s maritime community. He said the Government of India stands firmly with the families of the deceased and will provide all necessary support during this difficult time. The minister also directed officials to ensure the safe return of the rescued crew members to India as soon as possible. He further instructed authorities to quickly bring back the bodies of the deceased sailors so they can be handed over to their families. The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East. After the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, Tehran announced plans to close the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. In response, the US Navy increased its presence in the region and restricted the movement of Iranian vessels, while allowing selected international ships to pass through.
According to reports, the US Navy targeted the Palau-flagged cargo ship MT Cettebello near the Oman coast. The US Central Command claimed that the vessel had violated restrictions related to Iranian ports and ignored repeated instructions from American forces. As a result, a US aircraft carried out a precision strike on the ship’s engine room. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the attack and summoned the acting US diplomatic representative to register India’s protest. In an earlier statement, the ministry confirmed that 21 of the 24 Indian crew members on board had been rescued, while three were initially reported missing. With the latest confirmation from Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, those three missing Indian sailors have now been officially declared dead. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the Gulf region and highlights the growing risks faced by seafarers during geopolitical conflicts.
