MT Settebello: 21 Indian seafarers return safely from Oman after deadly attack
Synopsis
Three Indian seafarers are dead and 21 others are heading home after the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello was struck off the coast of Oman — an attack India has formally blamed on the US Navy. With EAM Jaishankar calling it 'not justified' and the MEA summoning the US envoy twice, this is one of the sharpest diplomatic confrontations between New Delhi and Washington in recent maritime history.
Key Takeaways
21 Indian crew members of MT Settebello are returning safely to India from Oman , confirmed on 16 June .
3 Indian seafarers lost their lives in the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker, approximately 30 nautical miles off Sohar, Oman .
Jaishankar lodged a formal protest with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio , calling the strike on commercial shipping 'not justified.' The MEA summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks on 12 June to register India's protest over the attacks.
Ambassador Prashant Pise met the survivors in Muscat ahead of their departure and commended their resilience.
All 21 rescued Indian crew members of the vessel MT Settebello are returning safely to India from Oman, the Indian Embassy in Muscat confirmed on Tuesday, 16 June, following a deadly attack on the Palau-flagged tanker that also claimed the lives of three Indian seafarers. The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and safety of Indian nationals abroad.
Ahead of their departure, India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, met with the crew members, conveyed his best wishes, and commended their resilience through what he described as a difficult ordeal.
What Happened to MT Settebello
The Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello was approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Sohar, Oman, when it came under attack. The Oman Maritime Security Centre was immediately alerted, prompting search and rescue (SAR) operations by Omani authorities. While 21 Indian crew members were successfully rescued, 3 seafarers lost their lives in the incident.
'MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged vessel, was about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Sohar, Oman, at the time of the attack. Oman Maritime Security Centre was intimated forthwith, based on which relevant Omani authorities were alerted for search and rescue (SAR). While 21 Indian crew members have since been successfully rescued, 3 seafarers lost their lives in the tragic incident at sea,' the Indian Embassy in Muscat stated in a post on X.
India's Diplomatic Protest to the United States
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week, lodging a strong diplomatic protest after a US Navy strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman killed the three Indian seafarers. Jaishankar asserted that 'such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.'
On 12 June, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to register New Delhi's formal protest over the continuing attacks on commercial vessels off the Omani coast.
What India Conveyed to Washington
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at a media briefing, said India conveyed its 'deepest concerns' over the pattern of attacks. 'We had summoned the US CdA to register our protest on the attack that happened on this commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, Settebello. Three Indian nationals have died in that incident. We conveyed our deepest concerns about these incidents and the string of attacks that are happening. And we hope and expect that these would end, that these would come to an immediate halt. Also, our deep concerns regarding the targeting of commercial ships, of marine personnel, and of civilian infrastructure. So, we conveyed our concerns to the American side, to the US side, on these attacks,' Jaiswal stated.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
This is not an isolated incident — the attack on MT Settebello is part of a broader pattern of strikes on commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman that has drawn sharp international scrutiny. India's back-to-back diplomatic interventions — including two summons of the US envoy and a direct ministerial call — signal the gravity with which New Delhi views the threat to its maritime workers. With the 21 survivors now en route home, attention will turn to accountability for the three lives lost and whether Washington responds to India's demand for an immediate halt to such strikes.
Point of View
And the diplomatic language — 'not justified,' 'immediate halt' — is unusually blunt for an India-US exchange. What remains unanswered is whether the US has offered any explanation, compensation, or assurance, and whether India's protests will translate into any binding commitment or quietly fade as strategic interests reassert themselves.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to MT Settebello off the coast of Oman?
MT Settebello, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, was attacked approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Sohar, Oman. Three Indian seafarers were killed and 21 others were rescued by Omani authorities following the incident.
Why did India protest to the United States over the MT Settebello attack?
India lodged a formal diplomatic protest because the attack on MT Settebello was attributed to a US Navy strike. EAM S. Jaishankar told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that such lethal actions against commercial shipping are 'not justified,' and the MEA summoned the US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to register New Delhi's concerns.
Are all 21 rescued Indian crew members safe?
Yes. All 21 rescued Indian crew members of MT Settebello are returning safely to India from Oman, as confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Muscat on 16 June. Ambassador Prashant Pise met with the crew before their departure.
Who is Randhir Jaiswal and what did he say about the attack?
Randhir Jaiswal is the spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He stated at a media briefing that India summoned the US Charge d'Affaires to protest the attack on MT Settebello, conveying deep concern over the 'string of attacks' on commercial ships and demanding they come to an 'immediate halt.'
What is the broader significance of the MT Settebello incident?
The incident is part of a wider pattern of attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf of Oman. India's unusually direct diplomatic response — including two summons of the US envoy and a ministerial-level protest call — reflects the gravity of the threat to Indian maritime workers and signals a rare public confrontation between New Delhi and Washington.
