Visakhapatnam chief engineer among three Indians killed in attack on tanker off Oman

Patnala Suresh, a 44-year-old chief engineer from Visakhapatnam, was among three Indian seafarers who were killed after the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello came under attack off the coast of Oman on June 10. Twenty-one other Indian crew members were rescued.

The death of the three crew members, who were initially reported missing, were confirmed on Thursday (June 11, 2026) after their bodies were located and identified during search and rescue operations.

Speaking to a few news agencies and media houses, Suresh’s wife Bhargavi said the family was informed that three crew members, including her husband, were missing following the incident. Till Thursday (June 11) afternoon, they only knew that he was untraceable. Company officials later informed the family that his body had been recovered and identified.

Ms. Bhargavi said she had spoken to her husband for the last time on the night of June 9 around 8.30 p.m. According to her, Suresh had been planning to sign off from the vessel after spending nearly four months on board. He had joined the ship at the end of January for what was initially expected to be a short assignment in China, but continued after the previous chief engineer signed off.

She said the vessel had been operating in waters around China and Singapore before being directed towards the Gulf region. The family had expected the ship to return to China after loading cargo.

Seeking assistance from the authorities, Ms. Bhargavi appealed to the Central and State governments, as well as the Directorate General of Shipping, to expedite the repatriation of her husband’s mortal remains and extend support to the family.

“He was the sole earning member of our family,” she said. A homemaker, Ms. Bhargavi said she has two children studying in Classes IX and VI and expressed concern about their education and future.

She added that company representatives had informed her that the necessary formalities were being completed through the embassies and in coordination with Indian authorities.