Amid growing concern over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the conflict-hit Gulf region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday categorically denied reports claiming that Indian crew members had been killed aboard the vessel Liaki Freedom.

The clarification came after social media posts and some reports suggested that the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker had come under attack off the coast of Oman, allegedly resulting in Indian casualties.

Putting the speculation to rest, the MEA said it had directly contacted the ship's captain and verified that everyone on board was unharmed.

"We have spoken with the Master of the vessel Liaki Freedom, who has confirmed that all crew members are safe and that the reported information is false," the ministry said.

The government's fact-checking unit also urged the public to exercise caution and avoid circulating unverified claims related to maritime incidents, warning against the spread of misinformation during a period of heightened regional tensions.

According to maritime database VesselTracker, Liaki Freedom is registered under the Marshall Islands flag.

False alarm amid real maritime security concerns

The clarification assumes significance because it comes against the backdrop of an escalating security crisis in Gulf waters, where commercial shipping routes have increasingly become flashpoints.

Only hours earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar revealed that he had spoken to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to convey India's "strong protest" over an attack on commercial tanker MT Settebello that killed three Indian mariners.

The vessel, carrying 24 Indian crew members, was reportedly targeted after US forces accused it of breaching an ongoing naval blockade linked to Iranian ports. While 21 Indian sailors were rescued, three were confirmed dead.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the vessels involved in the recent incidents were foreign-registered ships but stressed that the presence of Indian crew members made their protection a matter of serious concern for the government.

With ANI inputs