New Delhi/Tehran (Gurpreet Singh): Three Indian crew members are missing and 21 others have been safely rescued after a commercial vessel came under a missile attack off the coast of Oman on Wednesday. India has strongly condemned the strike, expressing deep concern over the escalating safety hazards facing international maritime traffic. The latest incident marks a dangerous escalation in regional shipping disruptions linked to enforcing blockades on strategic international waterways.
The targeted vessel, a Palau-flagged chemical and oil products tanker named Settebello, was operating approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of the Omani port of Sohar when it transmitted a distress call. According to maritime security agencies, the vessel’s engine room was struck by a projectile, which immediately ignited a severe fire onboard. The Omani Navy swiftly responded to the distress signal to launch a rescue operation, securing 21 of the 24 Indian nationals present on board, while the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported at least one casualty alongside the missing sailors.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Muscat is actively monitoring the developments and maintaining direct coordination with local Omani authorities to expedite the search and rescue operations for the missing crew. New Delhi has voiced strong opposition to the persistent targeting of civilian infrastructure and commercial vessels in West Asia, emphasizing that these maritime confrontations are a direct and deeply worrisome byproduct of the broader regional conflicts.
In its official statement, India reiterated its urgent appeal for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities and called upon all parties to pursue diplomatic channels to restore regional stability. The government stressed that free and unimpeded navigation through global trade corridors must be protected in strict accordance with international maritime law to prevent further economic and humanitarian fallout.
