Key facts
- Families of Indian seafarers killed in U.S.-Iran conflict attacks demand $5 million compensation each from the U.S. and Iran.
- They are urging the Indian government to file a petition with the United Nations for compensation.
- Three Indian sailors died when the U.S. military fired on the MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman.
- A seafarers' union disputes the U.S. military's claim that the vessel ignored warnings.
- Compensation is also sought for an Indian seafarer who died from medical complications after a delayed evacuation.
Families of Indian seafarers killed in attacks on commercial vessels amid the U.S.-Iran conflict are demanding $5 million in compensation from both Washington and Tehran for each of the deceased. Approximately a dozen bereaved families are seeking this compensation and urging the Indian government to file an official petition with the United Nations.
Three Indian seafarers—Shivanand Chaurasiya, Patnala Suresh, and Aditya Sharma—were killed when the U.S. military fired on the engine room of the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. military stated the vessel ignored around 60 warnings before being struck. However, the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) has disputed this, arguing the crew had no reason to ignore American forces.
The families also seek compensation for Nishanth Uirthanathan, another Indian seafarer who died from medical complications in the Persian Gulf, reportedly due to a delay in medical evacuation. His wife, Rebecca Sarobin, has called for justice and long-term support for her family.
During talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit, U.S. President Donald Trump offered no apology, remarking that sailing is a "rough profession."