New Delhis shipping minister promised to ensure the swift repatriation of the rescued crew and the return of the remains of the dead

All three missing crew members from a chemical tanker struck by the US military in the Gulf of Oman are confirmed dead, Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.

The Palau-flagged MT Settebello wasreportedlycarrying a crew of 28, including 24 Indians, when the US military fired at it with a precision munition for allegedly trying to run the blockade of Iran. The incident occurred off the coast of Oman, where authorities rescued 25 crew members, while three were initially reported missing.

This was the second attack on commercial shipping by US forces near the Strait of Hormuz. The MT Marivex - also flying the Palau flag - was struck on Monday. The Marivex carried an all-Indian crew, who were rescued after the attack.

New Delhi summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a protest after the attack on the Settebello. "The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region," the Indian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, calling for an "immediate de-escalation of tensions."

India also expressed its anger at the United Nations Security Council, pointing out that several Indian nationals had died or gone missing due to attacks in the region.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, repeated New Delhi's calls to "exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritize the safety of civilians."

(RT.com)