Patnala Suresh death: Chandrababu Naidu assures full support to family
Synopsis
Three Indian seafarers, including Visakhapatnam-native Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh, were killed when US forces struck the oil tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz. Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan have both responded, with the state government pressing for swift repatriation of remains. Suresh leaves behind a wife and two young sons.
Key Takeaways
Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh of Visakhapatnam was killed in a US military strike on oil tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz .
Two other Indians — Deck Cadet Aditya Sharma and Engine Fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya — were also confirmed dead in the attack.
Andhra Pradesh CM N.
Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to coordinate with the Indian Embassy and Omani authorities for repatriation of mortal remains.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan called the incident 'shocking'; Minister Nara Lokesh urged the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite repatriation.
Suresh is survived by his wife and two sons, aged 13 and 10 .
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday, 12 June expressed deep grief over the death of Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh, a native of Visakhapatnam, who was killed in a missile attack on a ship off the coast of Oman. Naidu assured Suresh's family that the state government would extend all possible support and has already directed officials to coordinate with the Indian Embassy and Omani authorities to repatriate his mortal remains.
Chief Minister's Response
Naidu conveyed his condolences directly via a post on X. 'I am deeply saddened by the death of Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh, a native of Visakhapatnam, in a missile attack on a ship off the coast of Oman. It is unfortunate that he lost his life while performing his duties in such an unexpected attack. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Suresh's family and assure them that the State Government will provide all possible support. We have already instructed officials to coordinate with the Indian Embassy and Omani authorities to bring Suresh's mortal remains back home,' the Chief Minister stated.
Deputy CM and Minister React
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, the Jana Sena leader, described the death as 'shocking', noting that Suresh lost his life in an attack carried out by US forces on an Indian vessel off the coast of Oman. 'This event, taking place amidst the tense situation in West Asia, is truly unfortunate. I pray to the Almighty for peace to his soul and extend my deepest condolences to his family. The government stands in support of the family,' Kalyan added.
Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh, the national working president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), said he was 'deeply shocked and devastated' over the death. He urged the Central Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite all formalities to bring Suresh's mortal remains home immediately and extend necessary support to his family during what he called an 'unimaginably dark time.'
What Happened: The Attack on MT Settebello
Suresh was among three Indian seafarers killed when the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello was attacked near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The US military reportedly carried out the strike after the vessel allegedly attempted to violate a blockade imposed by the US. All three Indian sailors initially reported missing after the incident have since been confirmed dead.
The other two Indians killed are Deck Cadet Aditya Sharma and Engine Fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya.
Family Left in Shock
Suresh is survived by his wife and two sons, aged 13 and 10. The family, based in Visakhapatnam, has been left in deep shock and has appealed to authorities to urgently arrange for the transportation of his mortal remains back to India. This comes amid an already volatile security environment in West Asia, where tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have been escalating in recent months.
The Andhra Pradesh government is expected to remain in close contact with central authorities as repatriation efforts continue.
Point of View
One of the world's most contested chokepoints, yet there is no public framework for how the Centre responds when Indian nationals are killed by allied forces. The political response from Andhra Pradesh has been swift, but the Central Government's posture on accountability remains notably muted. That silence, given the scale of the incident and the identities of those responsible, deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Patnala Suresh and how did he die?
Patnala Suresh was a Chief Engineer and native of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, who was killed when US forces struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz. The attack reportedly occurred after the vessel allegedly attempted to violate a US-imposed blockade.
How many Indians were killed in the MT Settebello attack?
Three Indian seafarers were killed in the attack: Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh, Deck Cadet Aditya Sharma, and Engine Fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya. All three were initially reported missing and have since been confirmed dead.
What has the Andhra Pradesh government promised Suresh's family?
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has assured Suresh's family of all possible state government support and has directed officials to coordinate with the Indian Embassy and Omani authorities to repatriate his mortal remains. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and Minister Nara Lokesh have also extended condolences and called for swift action.
Where did the MT Settebello attack take place?
The attack took place off the coast of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz — a strategically critical waterway in West Asia. The vessel was a Palau-flagged oil tanker at the time of the strike.
Who has called on the Central Government to act?
TDP national working president and IT Minister Nara Lokesh has urged the Central Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite repatriation formalities and extend support to the families of the deceased Indian seafarers.
