The tanker, carrying a crew of 28 people, including 24 Indian nationals, was reportedly targeted by US forces after being accused of attempting to breach a maritime blockade imposed against Iran amid the escalating conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Three Indian seafarers initially reported missing after a US military strike on a commercial chemical tanker near the Strait of Hormuz have been confirmed dead, escalating tensions over Washington's growing military campaign in the Gulf region and prompting a diplomatic protest from India.
Indian Shipping Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed on Thursday that the bodies of the three crew members aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello had been recovered and identified following the attack, which occurred off the coast of Oman.
The tanker, carrying a crew of 28 people, including 24 Indian nationals, was reportedly targeted by US forces after being accused of attempting to breach a maritime blockade imposed against Iran amid the escalating conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Twenty-five crew members were rescued by Omani authorities following the strike, while three sailors were initially declared missing before being confirmed dead.
