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).