US says it disabled vessel off coast of Oman, 3 crewmembers reported missing
U.S. Central Command said it disabled a vessel, the M/T Settebello tanker, as it transited in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday.
Three Indian crewmembers have been reported missing after the attack, according to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions at the ship’s engine crew "after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces," CENTCOM said in a statement.
Twenty-one Indian crewmembers of the Settebello were rescued and India is coordinating with Omani authorities regarding the operation, the Indian ministry said.
Earlier the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center issued a warning saying local authorities received a report the tanker "experienced a fire in their engine room."
The incident occurred 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, Oman, the UKMTO warning said.
India's Foreign Ministry is condemning the attack on the ship saying the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must end.
"We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region," the statement said.
The International Maritime Organization said it "strongly condemns" the attack of the ship sailing under the flag of Palau.
"This is simply unacceptable. My thoughts are with the families of the three missing seafarers and with all those awaiting news of the crew members," IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement.
