3 missile deaths, SOSs, rotting body: Indian seafarers bear Gulf conflict's cost
Multiple US attacks on vessels carrying Indian crew in the Strait of Hormuz, including Marivex, Settebello and MT Jalveer, left three Indians dead and several others affected. Amid the chaos at sea, emergency calls reportedly went unanswered, while a separate sailor died aboard MT Celestial amid delayed evacuation and repatriation.
“This is Motor Tanker Marivex. We have fire on board. The US Navy attacked the engine room. Please help. We have fire on board all crew Indian.”
Five SOS calls in less than half a minute. Panic rising with each message. Voices breaking over open channel radio. For Indian seafarers caught near the Strait of Hormuz last week, it marked the beginning of a maritime nightmare unfolding far from shore and far from help.
On June 8, 10 and 11, three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew -- Marivex, Settebello and Jalveer -- were attacked by the US Navy in separate incidents. Settebello was hit by Hellfire missiles.
While all crew members aboard Marivex and Jalveer were later rescued, Settebello was not as fortunate. Three Indians -- a chief engineer, an engine fitter and a deck cadet -- were killed.
The strikes left engines burning and vessels disabled at sea. Videos released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) showed engine rooms engulfed in flames, even as Washington alleged the ships were violating a blockade and transporting Iranian oil.
Ship operators disputed parts of the US claim, saying at least one vessel had been stationary for days and had received no warning or communication.
Inside MT Jalveer, chaos unfolded in real time.
“Shinas Port Control, all crew are safe. We have a huge fire in the engine room.”
Sirens echoed as explosions ripped through machinery spaces. Yet despite the destruction, all 20 Indian seafarers onboard were eventually rescued.
But the crisis did not end there.
While Marivex was targeted 400 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz, the other vessels were attacked off Oman’s Shinas coast, closer to the strait.
CENTCOM said that both Settebello and Marivex had violated the blockade and were attempting to ship Iranian oil. However, while Marivex reported the attack to seafarers’ unions, Settebello’s managing firm, IOS Marine FZE, contradicted the US claim, saying the vessel had been stationary for 10 days and had received no communication from the US Navy. It also denied any links to Iranian oil or ports.
As the US Navy stepped up attacks on vessels carrying Indian sailors, the body of a 35-year-old Indian sailor lay decomposing for nearly three days off the coast of Oman, while repeated distress calls from the vessel’s captain went unanswered.
Second Officer Nishanth Uirthanathan had fallen ill on June 8 and died on June 11 aboard MT Celestial, even as SOS calls were reportedly sent to the US Navy on June 10 and 11, according to reports cited by Sputnik India.
The MT Celestial, carrying Uirthanathan, had sent SOS calls to the US Navy -- responsible for enforcing the naval blockade -- before he eventually died. However, no response was received, according to a Sputnik India report, even as his condition deteriorated.
Neither the shipping company nor nearby Duqm Port in Oman was able to arrange timely evacuation, despite repeated pleas from the ship’s captain. After his death, crew members were seen placing cold water bottles over his body wrapped in plastic sheets to slow decomposition, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), which said the vessel lacked proper refrigeration facilities.
The body was later lowered using a crane on June 14 and is now being prepared for repatriation.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said it was coordinating with all stakeholders for the early return of the mortal remains and confirmed that Uirthanathan had died due to medical complications while onboard at Duqm Port.
As maritime tensions escalated across the Strait of Hormuz last week, political blame also intensified on land. India condemned the attacks and raised concerns with the US diplomatic mission in New Delhi, seeking explanations for the incidents involving Indian crew members.
Washington, however, remained defiant and doubled down. In a call with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that illegal transport through the strait would not be tolerated, while President Donald Trump alleged that Iran was behind the strikes.
Meanwhile, diplomatic engagements between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi added another layer to an already volatile moment, with both leaders exchanging remarks on strengthening bilateral ties.
But at sea, the reality remained unchanged.
As explosions lit up engine rooms and emergency calls went unanswered, Indian sailors found themselves trapped in a conflict they neither shaped nor controlled.
Three missile-linked deaths. One rotting body. And multiple vessels reduced to fire and silence.
In the Strait of Hormuz, where geopolitics, military action and diplomacy converge, it is the merchant seafarer -- far from home and far from help -- who pays the price.
“This is Motor Tanker Marivex. We have fire on board. The US Navy attacked the engine room. Please help. We have fire on board all crew Indian.”
Five SOS calls in less than half a minute. Panic rising with each message. Voices breaking over open channel radio. For Indian seafarers caught near the Strait of Hormuz last week, it marked the beginning of a maritime nightmare unfolding far from shore and far from help.
On June 8, 10 and 11, three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew -- Marivex, Settebello and Jalveer -- were attacked by the US Navy in separate incidents. Settebello was hit by Hellfire missiles.
While all crew members aboard Marivex and Jalveer were later rescued, Settebello was not as fortunate. Three Indians -- a chief engineer, an engine fitter and a deck cadet -- were killed.
The strikes left engines burning and vessels disabled at sea. Videos released by US Central Command (CENTCOM) showed engine rooms engulfed in flames, even as Washington alleged the ships were violating a blockade and transporting Iranian oil.
Ship operators disputed parts of the US claim, saying at least one vessel had been stationary for days and had received no warning or communication.
Inside MT Jalveer, chaos unfolded in real time.
“Shinas Port Control, all crew are safe. We have a huge fire in the engine room.”
Sirens echoed as explosions ripped through machinery spaces. Yet despite the destruction, all 20 Indian seafarers onboard were eventually rescued.
But the crisis did not end there.
While Marivex was targeted 400 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz, the other vessels were attacked off Oman’s Shinas coast, closer to the strait.
CENTCOM said that both Settebello and Marivex had violated the blockade and were attempting to ship Iranian oil. However, while Marivex reported the attack to seafarers’ unions, Settebello’s managing firm, IOS Marine FZE, contradicted the US claim, saying the vessel had been stationary for 10 days and had received no communication from the US Navy. It also denied any links to Iranian oil or ports.
As the US Navy stepped up attacks on vessels carrying Indian sailors, the body of a 35-year-old Indian sailor lay decomposing for nearly three days off the coast of Oman, while repeated distress calls from the vessel’s captain went unanswered.
Second Officer Nishanth Uirthanathan had fallen ill on June 8 and died on June 11 aboard MT Celestial, even as SOS calls were reportedly sent to the US Navy on June 10 and 11, according to reports cited by Sputnik India.
The MT Celestial, carrying Uirthanathan, had sent SOS calls to the US Navy -- responsible for enforcing the naval blockade -- before he eventually died. However, no response was received, according to a Sputnik India report, even as his condition deteriorated.
Neither the shipping company nor nearby Duqm Port in Oman was able to arrange timely evacuation, despite repeated pleas from the ship’s captain. After his death, crew members were seen placing cold water bottles over his body wrapped in plastic sheets to slow decomposition, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), which said the vessel lacked proper refrigeration facilities.
The body was later lowered using a crane on June 14 and is now being prepared for repatriation.
The Indian Embassy in Oman said it was coordinating with all stakeholders for the early return of the mortal remains and confirmed that Uirthanathan had died due to medical complications while onboard at Duqm Port.
As maritime tensions escalated across the Strait of Hormuz last week, political blame also intensified on land. India condemned the attacks and raised concerns with the US diplomatic mission in New Delhi, seeking explanations for the incidents involving Indian crew members.
Washington, however, remained defiant and doubled down. In a call with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that illegal transport through the strait would not be tolerated, while President Donald Trump alleged that Iran was behind the strikes.
Meanwhile, diplomatic engagements between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi added another layer to an already volatile moment, with both leaders exchanging remarks on strengthening bilateral ties.
But at sea, the reality remained unchanged.
As explosions lit up engine rooms and emergency calls went unanswered, Indian sailors found themselves trapped in a conflict they neither shaped nor controlled.
Three missile-linked deaths. One rotting body. And multiple vessels reduced to fire and silence.
In the Strait of Hormuz, where geopolitics, military action and diplomacy converge, it is the merchant seafarer -- far from home and far from help -- who pays the price.
