Three Indian seafarers, including Patnala Suresh, Chief Engineer and a native of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, were killed after the oil tanker MT Settebello was struck off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz in an attack carried out by the US military. The three men, initially reported missing following the incident, have since been confirmed dead.

Who Were the Victims

Patnala Suresh, serving as Chief Engineer aboard the Palau-flagged vessel, was accompanied by deck cadet Aditya Sharma and engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya — the other two Indian crew members who lost their lives. A total of 21 crew members were rescued from the stricken tanker, according to reports. The attack was allegedly carried out after the vessel reportedly attempted to violate a blockade imposed by the US.

A Family Left Behind in Visakhapatnam

Suresh's wife, Bhargavi, said she first learnt of a drone strike on the ship on Wednesday night, when she was informed that her husband and two other crew members were unaccounted for. She reached out to a Dubai office number provided by the vessel's superintendent, where she was told that a rescue operation was underway and that 21 crew members had been brought to safety.

Through online reports late that night, Bhargavi learnt that two of the three missing crew members had been recovered and identified. Her husband remained the only one still missing. By approximately 1 pm on Thursday, authorities confirmed they had located Suresh's body. He is survived by his wife and two sons, aged 13 and 10.

Bhargavi has urged authorities to contact the Indian embassy and expedite all official formalities to repatriate her husband's mortal remains without further delay. 'Since more than 24 hours have passed, the process of sending the mortal remains of her husband should not be delayed further,' she said.

Family Appeals to Authorities

Suresh's father, Patnala Rama Krishna Rao, appealed for a photograph of the deceased to be shared with the family at the earliest. 'I have been requesting this since morning. We were informed that three people had died. We do not know about the other two individuals, but regarding our family member, we request the authorities to send us a photograph immediately,' he said.

The family has also sought financial assistance, noting that Suresh was the sole breadwinner supporting his wife and two children.

Strategic Context and Wider Implications

The MT Settebello was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints through which a significant share of global oil supplies passes. The incident raises urgent questions about the safety of Indian maritime workers in conflict-adjacent waters, a concern that has grown sharper as tensions in the region have escalated in recent months. This is among the most significant incidents involving Indian seafarers in the area in recent memory.

The Indian government has not yet issued a formal statement on the attack or the repatriation of the deceased as of the time of reporting. Families await both official confirmation and consular assistance.