Third ship incident off Oman in days; Indian Embassy seeks details
Synopsis
Three vessel incidents in roughly 72 hours off Oman's coast have put Indian maritime safety in sharp focus. The MT Settebello attack on 10 June killed three Indian seafarers out of a 24-member crew, and a third unidentified vessel incident near Shinas port on 11 June has now drawn the Indian Embassy into active coordination — with details still being sought.
Key Takeaways
A third vessel incident was reported off Shinas port, Oman on 11 June ; the Indian Embassy in Muscat is coordinating with local authorities for details.
On 10 June , an attack on MT Settebello (Palau-flagged) killed 3 Indian seafarers ; 21 of the 24 crew members were rescued.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths and directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of survivors and return of mortal remains.
The first incident on 8 June involved a fire aboard MT Marivex south of the Strait of Hormuz , carrying 24 Indian seafarers , all reported safe at the time.
All three incidents occurred within approximately 72 hours in the same maritime corridor near Oman.
A fresh vessel incident has been reported off Shinas port in Oman on 11 June, with the Indian Embassy in Muscat confirming it is coordinating with local authorities to ascertain details. The development marks the third vessel-related incident in Omani waters within days, following two earlier incidents that left three Indian seafarers dead.
What the Embassy Said
'We have learnt of an incident involving a vessel off Shinas port of Oman, earlier today. We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the local authorities for further details,' the embassy said in a post on X.
No further details on the nature of the incident, the vessel's identity, or the crew composition have been confirmed at the time of writing.
The MT Marivex Fire: First Incident
The first incident occurred on 8 June, when a fire broke out aboard MT Marivex south of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying 24 Indian seafarers. The fire was reported at around 1:30 pm, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, which disclosed the development at an inter-ministerial briefing.
Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director in the Shipping Division, said at the time: 'This is the preliminary information which we have received. Based on this, as per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe. So, whether the ship was hit by a projectile or not, presently we are trying to get absolute information.' Officials confirmed they were in touch with the vessel's owners, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian mission in Oman.
MT Settebello Attack: Three Indians Killed
The second incident, on 10 June, involved an attack on the Palau-flagged commercial vessel MT Settebello off the coast of Oman. Of the 24 Indian crew members aboard, 21 were rescued while three were killed — their bodies subsequently located and identified.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths in a statement: 'It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified.'
Sonowal added: 'This is a profound loss to our maritime family. The Modi Govt stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin. I have directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased for their final rites.'
A Pattern of Incidents in Omani Waters
Three vessel incidents within roughly 72 hours in the same maritime corridor raises serious concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers operating near the Strait of Hormuz and the Omani coastline. The region has seen heightened maritime tensions in recent months, with commercial shipping increasingly at risk. India has a significant stake: the country is one of the world's largest suppliers of maritime crew, and thousands of Indian nationals serve aboard vessels transiting this corridor.
As investigations into all three incidents continue, the focus will be on whether these events are isolated or part of a broader pattern of targeted attacks on commercial shipping in the region.
Point of View
Not just consular coordination. India supplies a disproportionately large share of the world's seafarers, yet its diplomatic and naval posture in the Gulf of Oman remains reactive. The deaths aboard MT Settebello expose a gap: there is no standing rapid-response protocol that activates Indian naval assets when commercial vessels with Indian crew come under attack in contested waters. Repatriation statements from ministers are necessary but insufficient. The real question is whether New Delhi will press for a multilateral maritime security arrangement in the region — or continue managing tragedies one press statement at a time.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened off Oman's Shinas port on 11 June?
A vessel incident was reported off Shinas port in Oman on 11 June, with the Indian Embassy in Muscat confirming it is monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities. The nature of the incident and details of any crew onboard had not been confirmed at the time of the embassy's statement.
What happened to MT Settebello and its Indian crew?
MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged commercial vessel, was attacked off the coast of Oman on 10 June. Of the 24 Indian crew members aboard, 21 were rescued and 3 were confirmed dead after their bodies were located and identified, according to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
What was the MT Marivex incident?
MT Marivex caught fire on 8 June south of the Strait of Hormuz while carrying 24 Indian seafarers. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said all Indian seafarers were reported safe at the time, though officials were still investigating whether the vessel had been struck by a projectile.
What has the Indian government said about the incidents?
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of three Indian seafarers from MT Settebello and directed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of survivors and the swift return of the mortal remains of the deceased. The Indian Embassy in Muscat is also coordinating with Omani authorities on the third incident.
Why are these incidents significant for India?
India is one of the world's largest suppliers of maritime crew, with thousands of Indian nationals serving on vessels transiting the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Three incidents in roughly 72 hours in the same corridor raise serious concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers in a region with heightened maritime tensions.
