Three vessels with Indian crew members onboard were attacked by the United States over the past three days near the coast of Oman. The attacks on the MT Jalveer, Settebello, and MT Marivex coincide with the US and Iran renewing hostilities against each other. The attacks were condemned by the ministry of external affairs.

The US military said it attacked the oil tanker, MT Settebello, after it tried to “violate” the blockade put up by the US outside the Strait of Hormuz, off the Oman coast.

Earlier, Forward Seamen’s Union of India general secretary Manoj Yadav told news agency ANI: “We have been unable to establish a connection with the ship. The latest information I have indicates that two have died, while the Chief Engineer is still reported as missing.”

The deceased were identified as Suresh Patnala, Aditya Sharma (deck cadet) and Shivanand Chaurasiya (fitter).