Visakhapatnam Chief Engineer Among Three Indians Killed in Oman Sea Attack

A maritime tragedy off the coast of Oman has claimed the lives of three Indian sailors, including a senior marine engineer from Andhra Pradesh, leaving their families devastated and raising fresh concerns about the safety of civilian seafarers working in conflict-prone waters.

The deceased include Patnala Suresh , a 44-year-old Chief Engineer from Visakhapatnam, who was serving aboard a merchant vessel that reportedly came under a US military strike in the Oman Sea region. The loss was confirmed on Thursday by family members and officials associated with Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi.

According to officials, Suresh was on duty when the vessel was targeted. Authorities have since begun coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies to facilitate the return of his mortal remains to India. Efforts are also underway to gather details regarding the other two Indian crew members who lost their lives in the incident.

The strike has attracted international attention after reports suggested that the vessel was allegedly involved in transporting oil linked to Iran, in violation of sanctions enforced by the United States. American defence officials reportedly described the operation as part of a broader effort to monitor and restrict sanctioned maritime trade routes. However, the deaths of civilian sailors aboard a commercial vessel have sparked debate over the risks faced by non-combatant crews operating in strategically sensitive waters.

For Suresh's family, the tragedy is particularly painful because he was only days away from returning home.

After spending nearly five months at sea, the experienced marine engineer had already received his relieving letter and was awaiting the arrival of a replacement officer before disembarking. Once the handover was complete, he was expected to travel back to Visakhapatnam and reunite with his family.

Instead, what was meant to be a joyful homecoming turned into an unimaginable loss.

His wife, Bhargavi , recalled that the family had been eagerly looking forward to celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary on June 24. The couple's two sons, aged 13 and 10, are struggling to cope with the sudden loss of their father.

"Until now, there were four of us in the family. Now only three remain," Bhargavi said, expressing her grief.

Family members describe Suresh as a dedicated professional who viewed marine engineering not merely as a career but as a lifelong passion. Friends and relatives say he spent much of his life navigating the world's oceans, committed to a profession that demanded long months away from home.

As repatriation efforts continue, the tragedy has become a stark reminder of the dangers faced by merchant sailors who often find themselves caught in the shadow of larger geopolitical conflicts. For one family in Visakhapatnam, however, the global headlines mean little compared to the personal loss of a husband, father and seafarer who never made it back home.