MT Settebello attack: Seafarer’s death in US missile strike rattles Vishakhapatnam

The US-Israel war on Iran has rarely felt as close to the people of Andhra Pradesh as it does now, especially the port city of Andhra Pradesh. News of a US missile strike on the MT Settebello oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, which reportedly killed three seamen, has drawn widespread attention across the state because one of the victims was Suresh Patnala, a marine engineer from Visakhapatnam. The tragedy struck just days before Suresh was due to return home to his family. During his last phone call, he told his wife, Bhargavi, that he intended to cancel his job contract and return home by June 24, the couple's wedding anniversary.

Instead of preparing to welcome him home, Bhargavi and the couple's two school-going sons were hit by the devastating news of his death. The loss came as a profound shock to the family, which had remained hopeful despite reports of danger at sea. Recalling their final conversation, an emotional Bhargavi said she never imagined the threats would end in tragedy.

“Even if there was a drone strike on the ship, I thought he would jump into the sea and survive the hit. He had faced such situations before. I was sure that nothing would happen to him. In fact, it was me who was consoling the other family members,” she said through tears. When she spoke to him for the last time on June 11, Suresh reportedly told her that the crew had been receiving threats and feared that the vessel could come under attack at any time. Those words, which initially seemed like a warning from a dangerous voyage, would become his final message to his family.

The tragedy unfolded aboard the Palau-flagged tanker as it navigated one of the world's most volatile maritime regions, where commercial shipping has increasingly come under threat amid escalating tensions. A total of 28 staff were aboard the oil tanker and 24 of them were Indians, two Pakistanis and one each from Russia and Ukraine. While Oman coast guard could rescue 25 of them, three men went missing. The coast guard found three bodies on June 12, a day later. The US Navy is deployed in the Gulf of Oman to attack Iran-bound ships to pile pressure on the country. The US also hit another ship named MT Jalveer and 20 Indian seamen were rescued by the Oman coast guard, according to a media statement by the Indian embassy in Muscat.

The incident quickly escalated beyond a maritime tragedy, triggering diplomatic concerns in New Delhi and drawing political attention across the country. As the Opposition parties targeted the Modi government for its alleged soft response, India has come up with harsh warning against the US Navy hitting the commercial vessels with Indian seamen. On June 12, the Ministry of External Affairs had summoned US Chargé d'Affaires Jason Meeks in New Delhi and handed over a formal demarche registering India's strong protest.

Responding to the death of Suresh, in his post on X, AP IT minister Nara Lokesh said, “Deeply shocked and devastated to learn about the tragic demise of 44-year-old Marine Chief Engineer Patnala Suresh Garu from Visakhapatnam in the recent attack on the oil tanker MT Settebello near the Strait of Hormuz. A dedicated professional who spent years serving at sea, Suresh Garu's life was cut tragically short just days before he was to return home to celebrate his 15th wedding anniversary. This is an irreparable loss to his grieving wife Bhargavi Garu, his two young sons, and our Vizag community. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”

Lokesh requested the central government and the MEA to expedite all formalities to bring his mortal remains home immediately and extend necessary support to his family during this unimaginably dark time.

Telugu Desam Party MP Lavu Krishnadevaraya, a Telugu Desam Party MP from Andhra Pradesh, told THE WEEK he was deeply saddened by the incident. “His untimely death has caused immense grief not only to his family but also to the people of Andhra Pradesh, particularly the maritime community of Visakhapatnam. The MP emphasised Indian seafarers’ contribution to global trade and stated that they deserve safety and protection while carrying out their professional duties.”

The tragedy also prompted reactions from leaders across party lines, with several public representatives calling for stronger measures to protect Indian seafarers operating in conflict-prone waters.

YSR Congress Party MP from Tirupati M. Gurumurthy wrote to the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging him to help with the speedy repatriation of the mortal remains of Suresh Patnala. In his second letter, the MP also highlighted the plight of 13 Indian crew members stranded aboard the cargo vessel MV Pascal near Bandar Abbas Port in Iran after a major engine failure, including four sailors from Andhra Pradesh.

Gurumoorthy appealed for urgent diplomatic intervention to ensure the safety, welfare and return of the affected Indian citizens and to keep their families informed of developments. “It is really painful to see the struggles of our seafarers. The Centre must take a proactive approach and communicate with the US to prevent further attacks. It must also rescue the stranded seafarers,” the MP told THE WEEK.

Beyond political circles and diplomatic discussions, the loss resonated deeply in Visakhapatnam, the port city where Suresh lived and where many families have close links to the maritime profession. The news of the death of Suresh sent shockwaves across the city. Residents expressed grief and disbelief that a seafarer who was preparing to return home later this month had lost his life in a violent incident.

Many residents voiced concern for the bereaved family and called for greater protection of Indian seafarers abroad. "It is heartbreaking to hear that Suresh garu was just days away from returning home to his family. His wife and children must be going through unimaginable pain. No family should have to suffer such a loss because of an incident at sea," said K. Lakshmi, a homemaker from MVP Colony in Visakhapatnam.

M. Ramesh, a resident of NGOs Colony, said the incident raised serious questions about the safety and security of Indian crew members working on international vessels and urged the government to ensure accountability and stronger safeguards.

Students and young professionals in the city also expressed sorrow over the loss. "Many young people look up to marine engineers and sailors who work hard, away from their families. The loss of Suresh sir and the other crew members is deeply upsetting. We hope justice is served and such incidents are prevented in the future," said B. Keerthana, a college student in Visakhapatnam. Residents said the tragedy had deeply affected the port city, which has a large maritime community and close ties to the shipping industry.