India Confirms Death of Three Indian Mariners in US Attack on Oil Tanker off Oman Coast
The Indian government announced today that all three Indian sailors lost their lives following a US military strike on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, prompting New Delhi to summon the US embassy chargé d’affaires to express strong protest.
According to Indian media citing official sources, the victims are Aditya Sharma, a deck trainee; Shivananad Chourasiya, a motor mechanic; and Patnala Suresh, the ship’s chief engineer. Earlier reports had indicated two fatalities and one missing person, but India’s Minister of Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed today that all three sailors have died.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirming the attack, stated that the tanker was carrying Iranian oil and that the crew refused to comply with orders from US forces. In contrast, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action and said that New Delhi has been actively cooperating with Omani authorities in search and rescue operations.
Following the incident, the UK Maritime Trade Operations center initially reported a fire in the engine room of the vessel. Later, the maritime risk management company Vanguard declared that the oil tanker caught fire after being struck by a missile and sent out a distress signal. According to Vanguard, the Omani navy responded to the distress call.
The tanker had 24 Indian crew members on board, of whom 21 have been rescued. The waters off Oman are among the region’s key shipping routes, and any security incident in these waters could have wide-ranging regional consequences.
