ALBAWABA- India’s foreign ministry says three Indian seafarers remain missing after an attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman. Twenty-one other Indian crew members have been rescued following the incident.
According to maritime sources cited by Reuters, the Palau-flagged chemical/oil products tanker MT Settebello reported an engine room fire approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Sohar port in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel is believed to have been operating with a predominantly Indian crew of around two dozen sailors.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and maritime risk consultancy Vanguard indicated that the fire may have followed a suspected missile strike, after the vessel issued a distress call. Omani naval forces responded quickly to assist and carry out rescue operations.
Indian authorities, working in coordination with Omani counterparts, confirmed that 21 Indian mariners have been safely rescued. Search-and-rescue efforts are continuing for the three missing crew members, while some reports indicate one person sustained injuries. No official confirmation of fatalities has been made.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in regional shipping lanes in the Gulf of Oman, where maritime security has been increasingly strained in recent months.
Earlier incidents involving commercial vessels in the area have also drawn scrutiny, including reports of strikes and enforcement actions linked to broader geopolitical disputes.
The MEA said it is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Indian Navy and Omani authorities, and is prioritizing the safety and repatriation of affected crew members.
