Three Indian sailors on a commercial vessel hit by the United States off the coast of Oman are dead, New Delhi’s shipping minister has said, AFP reports.

“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello,” Sarbananda Sonowal said in a statement, referring to the strike on the vessel a day earlier.

“Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified”.

India’s foreign ministry summoned a top US diplomat in New Delhi after the US attack on MT Settebello to lodge “a strong protest”. It was the second reported US attack on a merchant vessel with predominately Indian crew this week.