Visakhapatnam chief engineer among three Indians killed in attack on tanker off Oman
Suresh’s wife Bhargavi appealed to the Central and State governments as well as the Directorate General of Shipping to expedite the repatriation of her husband’s body and support the family. Photo credit: X/ANI
Patnala Suresh, a 44-year-old chief engineer from Visakhapatnam, was among three Indian sailors killed after the Palau-flagged tanker crashed MT Settebello She was attacked off the coast of Oman on 10 June. 21 other Indian crew members were rescued.
The deaths of three crew members initially reported missing were confirmed on Thursday, June 11, 2026, after their bodies were found and identified during search and rescue operations.
Speaking to several news agencies and media outlets, Suresh’s wife Bhargavi said that after the incident, the family was informed that three crew members, including her husband, were missing. Until Thursday afternoon, June 11, they only knew that he was untraceable. Company officials later informed the family that the body had been found and identified.
Ms. Bhargavi said that she last spoke to her husband around 8.30pm on the night of June 9. According to him, Suresh was planning to leave the ship after spending around four months on board. He had originally joined the ship at the end of January for what was expected to be a short assignment in China, but resumed his duties following the signing of the previous chief engineer.
He said the ship was operating in waters around China and Singapore before heading to the Gulf region. The family was waiting for the ship to return to China after loading cargo.
Seeking help 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 body and provide support to the family.
“He was the only earning member of our family,” he said. Mrs. Bhargavi, a housewife, IX. and VI. He stated that he has two children studying in primary schools and expressed his concerns about their education and future.
He added that company representatives informed him that the necessary formalities had been completed through embassies and in coordination with Indian authorities.
It was published – 12 June 2026 01:53 IST
