Visakhapatnam Engineer Among Three Indians Killed in U.S. Strike Off Oman

A 44-year-old marine engineer from Visakhapatnam was among three Indian crew members killed when a commercial oil tanker was struck by U.S. military munitions off the coast of Oman, triggering diplomatic concerns and drawing a strong response from India.

The deceased, Patnala Suresh, was serving as Chief Engineer aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello when the vessel was hit in its engine room near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman.

According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the tanker was targeted for allegedly violating an ongoing maritime blockade by attempting to transport Iranian oil. The U.S. military stated that repeated radio warnings had been issued to the vessel before the strike, but it failed to comply.

The tanker had 24 Indian crew members on board at the time of the incident. While 21 sailors were rescued, three Indians, including Suresh, lost their lives.

Family members said Suresh had recently received his relieving letter and was awaiting the arrival of a replacement engineer before returning home. He had planned to reunite with his wife, Bhargavi, and their two sons in Visakhapatnam and celebrate the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary.

The incident has heightened diplomatic tensions between India and the United States. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned the attack on a civilian vessel and expressed concern over the loss of Indian lives. The ministry also summoned a U.S. diplomat and lodged a formal diplomatic protest, seeking an explanation for the circumstances that led to the strike.

Further details regarding the repatriation of the deceased crew members and the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries are awaited.