Two Indian sailors were killed and a chief engineer remains missing after the Palau-flagged MT Settebello came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz
June 11, 2026: Two Indian sailors lost their lives and a chief engineer remains missing after a commercial vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI). The Palau-flagged MT Settebello, carrying 24 Indian crew members, was transiting the Gulf of Oman when the incident occurred. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that 21 crew members have been rescued, while search operations continue for those still unaccounted for.
FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav said communication with the vessel remains disrupted, making it difficult to independently verify all developments. However, the latest information available to the union indicates that two crew members have died, while the ship’s chief engineer is still missing. Yadav added that the affected crew members were from Himachal Pradesh, Deoria in Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
The attack has heightened concerns over the safety of international shipping in the Gulf region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes. With tensions continuing to rise in West Asia, governments and shipping operators are closely monitoring security risks. Officials noted that MT Settebello was not among vessels sanctioned or blacklisted by US authorities.