The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that all crew members of the vessel Liaki Freedom are safe, dismissing earlier reports of casualties. The MEA stated that it spoke directly with the ship's Master, who verified the safety of the crew and labeled the previous information as false.
False Reports Clarified
The clarification came after several media outlets incorrectly reported that Indians had been killed in an overnight attack on the Liaki Freedom off the coast of Oman. The MEA's fact-check handle on X also urged the public to remain vigilant against such baseless claims circulating on social media.
Background of the Incident
The Liaki Freedom, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, was at the center of the confusion. According to vesseltracker.com, the vessel is a tankship. The MEA's swift response aimed to quell misinformation and reassure families of the crew.
Diplomatic Tensions Over US Navy Attacks
Separately, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing India's strong protest over US Navy attacks in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian mariners. Jaishankar described the lethal actions against commercial shipping as unjustified.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The three Indian sailors died when the US military struck the commercial tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday. US forces alleged the vessel violated a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Of the 24 Indian crew members, 21 were rescued, while three were confirmed dead.
MEA Summons US Envoy
On Friday, the MEA summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge a strong protest over the ongoing attacks on commercial vessels off Oman. This marked the second time the US mission was summoned over escalating maritime security issues. The MEA also identified the three deceased seafarers and confirmed efforts to repatriate their remains to India.
Official Statements
MEA spokesperson Jaiswal noted that the attacks originated from the US Navy stationed in the region. He clarified that the three ships involved in the incidents are foreign-flagged, as seen in various reports and official statements.
