Three civilian seafarers dead in US attack on Settebello

Three civilian seafarers dead in US attack on Settebello
Gary Howard June 11, 2026 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/security/three-civilian-seafarers-dead...

As fresh attacks on commercial shipping continue, India confirms US aircraft strike on tanker killed three crew members.

Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead after the US military attacked the oil products tanker Settebello on 9 June in the Gulf of Oman, according to India’s minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

The US justified its attack on the commercial vessel and its civilian crew by alleging the ship was attempting to violate its blockade of Iranian ports and that the crew “repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces.”

Three crew members were reported missing and one seriously injured in the immediate aftermath of the attack, after Omani authorities recovered 21 of the 24 Indian crew. The three missing seafarers have been confirmed dead after their bodies were located and identified, said Sonowal, who called the incident a profound loss to India’s maritime family.

Security company Vanguard Tech relayed a report from Iranian authorities that a cargo barge was struck at 0500 hrs local time on 11 June off the coast of Oman while carrying “essential goods” from Khasab to Sirik, Iran. All five crew were reportedly rescued by passing vessels, said Vanguard.

Settebello was the second tanker to be hit by US forces in recent days after Marivex was struck on 8 June. The 24 crew of Marivex were all rescued. Both the Settebello and Marivex incidents broke as reports of an engine fire onboard and now a third tanker, Jalveer, is reportedly suffering an engine fire in the Gulf of Oman. India's ministry of foreign affairs said the attack came from the US Navy, although the US has yet to confirm its involvement.

Jalveer reportedly has 20 crew onboard who are being evacuated in co-ordination with Omani authorities.

The ongoing attacks, injuries, and fatalities have brought widespread condemnation from the maritime industry and beyond. On 9 June, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) marked 100 days since the outbreak of war in the Middle East by calling for — among other demands — an immediate, permanent ceasefire and full de-escalation by all parties, and the full and unconditional protection of civilian transport workers and civilian infrastructure under international law.

Both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on Settebello.

The IMO incident tracker for the Strait of Hormuz now lists 14 confirmed seafarer fatalities and 44 confirmed incidents as of 11 June, 2026.

According to the IMO information, the incidents that led to the deaths of civilian seafarers were:

Related:India and the IMO condemn attack on tanker Settebello

9 June - Settebello, three seafarer fatalities, attacked by US forces.
2 May - Volans (tug) / Badr (barge), one seafarer fatality, attacked by Iranian forces.
11 March - Safesea Vishnu, one seafarer fatality, attacked by Iranian forces.
11 March - Mayuree Naree, three seafarer fatalities, attacked by Iranian forces.
6 March - Mussafah 2, four seafarer fatalities, attacked by Iranian forces.
1 March - Stena Imperative, one shipyard worker fatality, attacked by Iranian forces.
1 March - Skylight, one seafarer fatality, attacked by Iranian forces.