A US missile strike on a Palau-flagged ship carrying Indian sailors off the coast of Oman has sparked diplomatic tensions between India and the US. The incident has raised concerns about maritime safety and the impact of geopolitical tensions in the region.
The ship, Settebello, was carrying 24 crew members when it was struck. Three Indian seafarers are missing, while 21 Indian sailors were rescued by Oman. The US military said the ship had violated its blockade of Iran. The incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, where a tanker's engine room caught fire during the incident, with one casualty reported.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, local authorities were assisting with the evacuation of the crew. A routine voyage for 24 Indian sailors turned into a desperate fight for survival after their ship was struck by a US missile. The sequence of events is not fully clear, but it is reported that the ship was attacked, a distress call was made, and the crew was rescued by an Omani military helicopter.
India's decision to summon the US envoy highlights the diplomatic tensions arising from the incident. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the incident, stating that local authorities were assisting with the evacuation of the crew. There is some discrepancy in the reporting of the number of missing crew members, with one source stating two missing and another stating three.
The incident has affected the Indian sailors on board, with some missing and one reported casualty. The US attack on the Settebello has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident and its impact on relations between India and the US. The incident will likely lead to increased scrutiny of maritime safety in the region.
India will likely continue to press the US for answers about the attack, while the US will need to balance its geopolitical interests with the need to ensure the safety of maritime traffic in the region. The US and India will need to navigate the diplomatic fallout from the incident, which has the potential to impact relations between the two countries.