Two Indian Navy Officials Killed In US Attack On Commercial Vessel Near Strait Of Hormuz

At least two Indian navy officials have been killed and one chief engineer reported missing following an attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI).

The tragedy happened after the US military attacked a Palau-flagged MT Settebello, which was carrying 24 Indian crew. General Secretary of FSUI Manoj Yadav said communication with the vessel has been severely disrupted, adding that the latest information he have indicates that two have died, while the Chief Engineer is still reported as missing.

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Yadav said the three affected sailors were from different Indian states. The three are from Himachal Pradesh, Deoria (Uttar Pradesh), and Andhra Pradesh. He further noted that the US naval forces were aware of the nationalities of those onboard the vessels and that detention could have been considered as an alternative if instructions were not followed.

“I absolutely refuse to believe that the US lacked information regarding the nationalities of the people on board those ships. That is simply not possible. I am 101% certain that US naval forces knew exactly how many Indians and foreign nationals were on those vessels. If the ships failed to heed their instructions, detaining them was a viable alternative,” the official added.

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