India has strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, expressing concern over the safety of Indian sailors aboard the ship. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 24 Indian crew members were on board at the time of the incident. Of these, 21 have been rescued, while three remain missing and are the focus of ongoing search operations.
In an official statement, the MEA said that the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring developments and is coordinating with Omani maritime authorities to support emergency search and rescue efforts aimed at locating the missing crew members. Indian officials are maintaining constant contact with local authorities as the operation continues.
The government also linked the incident to the broader instability in the Middle East, warning that attacks on commercial shipping are becoming increasingly dangerous. The MEA stated that repeated incidents targeting vessels in the region are a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict and escalating tensions across the Middle East.
India reiterated its call for immediate de-escalation and urged all parties involved in regional conflicts to pursue diplomatic solutions. The government stressed that peace and stability are essential to ensuring the safety of international trade routes and maritime operations.
The MEA further emphasized that civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping must not be targeted under any circumstances. It called upon the international community to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure that critical sea lanes remain open and secure in accordance with international maritime law.
According to reports from British maritime security firm Ambrey, the Settebello may have been struck during a United States operation related to its maritime blockade of Iran. Ambrey stated that the vessel was likely hit by two missiles and suggested that the incident was connected to US efforts to prevent shipping linked to Iranian ports. However, official confirmation regarding the exact circumstances of the strike remains limited.
The vessel involved was identified as a Palau-flagged chemical and oil products tanker. Maritime authorities reported that it suffered an engine-room fire approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, a major port city in Oman. Rescue and investigation efforts remain underway as authorities work to determine the full sequence of events and locate the three missing Indian crew members.
