3 Indian Seafarers Missing After Attack on Tanker off Oman, India Says

"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today," the ministry said in a statement.

"Our embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation."

Maritime officials said the oil products tanker had been hit in a suspected US missile strike.

"This was likely the result of U.S. operations to blockade Iranian ports," British maritime security group Ambrey said.

"In the past, crews have been warned to gather on the bow of a vessel before an attack on the stern."

A second maritime security source also said the vessel was likely to have been hit by a US missile.

US Central Command (Centcom) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

There were 24 Indian sailors out of a crew of 28 aboard, an Indian government source said. The source said Indian officials were trying to establish if the two missing crew members were from India.

The ship was a Palau-flagged chemical/oil products tanker which reported an engine room fire 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman's port of Sohar, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said.

The vessel’s India-based operator, listed in databases, could not be reached for comment.

The tanker was partially laden and last located off Oman's coast on June 1, according to the MarineTraffic ship-tracking platform. Reuters