Three Indian sailors missing after tanker Settebello hit in Gulf of Oman; Delhi summons US envoy
India's government said 21 crew members of the tanker Settebello, hit off the coast of Oman, have been rescued and that three Indian sailors remain missing. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US ambassador and delivered a sharply worded protest.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi that the Oman-flagged tanker Settebello had been hit by US Navy Fifth Fleet units, on grounds of a "suspect cargo" during the standoff with Iran. Three of the tanker's 24 crew were Indian nationals and were not reached during the rescue. The Oman Coast Guard said 21 crew members are alive.
Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar summoned US Ambassador Eric Garcetti to South Block and put the words "this incident affecting Indian nationals is unacceptable" on the record. The statement said an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft had been sent to Muscat to assist the search. The vessel's Italian owner, Cambiaso Risso, confirmed that the tanker had been sailing in ballast.
US Department of Defense spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the strike "may have been a case of mistaken identity" and that an investigation has been opened. Brent crude rose 1.4% after the news, trading at $84.90 a barrel. The NSE Nifty index closed 0.6% lower on the day with selling in airline and shipping stocks. (Not investment advice.)
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