Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology, Nara Lokesh, expressed deep shock and devastation over the death of marine engineer Patnala Suresh in an attack on an oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. Suresh, a 44-year-old Marine Chief Engineer from Visakhapatnam, was tragically killed in the recent assault on the oil tanker MT Settebello. He was just days away from returning home to celebrate his 15th wedding anniversary.
Nara Lokesh described Suresh as a dedicated professional with years of service at sea, emphasizing the irreparable loss to his family and the Vizag community. He extended heartfelt condolences to Suresh’s grieving wife, Bhargavi, and their two young sons. The national working president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) urged the Central Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite the repatriation of Suresh’s remains and provide necessary assistance to his family during this difficult time.
The tragic incident, which resulted in the death of three Indian seafarers, including Chief Engineer Suresh, occurred when the US military attacked the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello near the coast of Oman. The attack, carried out after the vessel allegedly attempted to breach a US-imposed blockade, claimed the lives of all three Indian sailors initially reported missing. The loss has deeply shaken Suresh’s family, who are now seeking immediate arrangements for the transportation of his body.
