The U.S. Government has officially confirmed that shots fired by a U.S. Navy vessel had killed an Indian and injured three more off a Dubai port on Monday afternoon, said official sources here.
The U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy Powell telephoned Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai this morning to convey her regret for the loss of life and assured that the U.S. Government would conduct full investigation.
A US Embassy news release said the crew of a small motor vessel, which came under fire from the USNS Rappahannock on July 16, after the vessel had disregarded non-lethal warnings and rapidly approached the U.S.ship.
" We will stay in regular touch with U.S and UAE authorities to ascertain full facts and take appropriate further action in the matter,” said the sources in the Ministry of External Affairs here.
According to UAE officials, one Indian fisherman was killed in the firing incident and three other Indians were injured.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life of the Indian fisherman and the injuries sustained by the others. Our thoughts are with their families,” said the sources.
The UAE authorites also told Indians that the US military vessel had fired shots at a fishing vessel near the port of Jebel Ali, Dubai at about 3 pm UAE local time.
MEA sources said the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi was working with local authorities to carry out full investigation into the circumstances leading to this unfortunate and tragic incident. The Acting Consul General is in Jebel Ali to provide all necessary assistance.
Keywords: Indian fisherman killing, U.S. Navy ship firing
In reply to Sanket Korgaonkar,
Please update yourself before commenting. The incident happened not in the international water but 16 km off the port of Jabel Ali, well within the UAE waters as confirmed by UAE authorities.(The Hindu 18th July)
I would like to know on what language was this non-lethal warnings issued, you cant except local fishermen to understand foreign languages.
"came under fire from the USNS Rappahannock on July 16, after the
vessel had disregarded non-lethal warnings and rapidly approached the
U.S.ship."
With Somalia pirates and attack on USS Cole bombing, US is being
extremely cautious. It is Indian government responsibility to educate
the fishermen on dangers when they approach an army vessel.
"On the morning of October 12, 2000,on USS Cole, a small craft
approached the port side of the destroyer, and an explosion occurred,
creating a 40-by-40-foot gash in the ship's port side. Around 400 to
700 pounds (200–300 kg) of explosive were used. 17 sailors were killed
and 39 were injured in the blast." - Wikipedia
In what way does this event differ from the Italians killing the Indian fishermen a while back.
But Americans would not allow India to prosecute it's service personnel like the Italians did.
Far from an act of terrorism. The fishermen were in international waters
from any side of contention. A naval ship, especially one engaged in
patrol activities in a tense zone, has every right to defend itself if
it feels danger to itself. Its clear that the ships were in visual
distance. It would have been clear to anyone watching the ship that it
was a naval ship they were approaching. Why didn't the fishermen respond
to the ship/turn around?
This sort of friendly fire or mistaken in identity fire is unwarranted in the 21st century with all the latest and the greatest gadgets in hand. Being paranoid is one thing and about this height of paranoid-ism is something one needs to get off! We are living in a world that needs to be shared well and when we say shared well, we need also to aware of what we are doing as a person or as a nation! Lives are precious and we cannot bring back precious lives that are lost; so let us be very careful before we take up the stupid arms or weapons of any kind!
@ those drawing a parallel to the tragedy involving the Italian marines - that happened in Indian territorial waters and this incident happened near UAE. Big difference in the country's ability to prosecute. @ those talking about US high-handedness, like Rocky said, I think you should read the article. While the loss of life is extremely unfortunate, it looks like the US Navy did originally fire non-lethal charges to prevent the boat from getting closer. They resorted to firing live rounds when the boat did not heed their warnings. This is done to prevent incidents like the attack on USS Cole several years ago.
Act of terrorism.
Why are most of the people making comments here without even reading the article.
"came under fire from the USNS Rappahannock on July 16, after the vessel had disregarded non-lethal warnings and rapidly approached the U.S.ship."
its the protocol every country follows. If any ship big or small approaches Indian Navy and disregard the warning they fire.
No Navy ship just assumes theres no threat and just let it come near it.
The reason why this is happening is because there isn't enough training given to fishermen! In international waters when confronting a naval vessel, there is a fixed protocol you have to follow, any deviation from that protocol can be interpreted ( incorrectly! ) as a threat - and can cause the naval vessel to fire. Fishermen need to be trained well before they are issued licenses and it is the responsibility of the Indian government to implement this. In the end, we are at loss if we don't.
What amazes me is that the US is not able to attack the real terrorists in the world, they are still at large slaughtering and executing.
But always in the news for killing innocent people - mistakenly.
This is what happens when you adopt a policy of trying to swat a fly with a hammer. The US has caused so much sadness and grief to innocent and poor families around the world and all to frequently. I just don't get. Why not take on bashar assad and his army, and call it a mistake, no one in the world will feel sorry because they are killers
what a carelessness shown by this u.s navy....first they killed the
people and then they say sorry.....its very easy for them....shame on
them....
Now let us see the Indian government prosecuting the erring US sailors just like we did the Italians who committed the same crime.
How can firing at a fishing vessel be considered as an accident???
When a person presses on the trigger, it can only be done on purpose not because his finger happened to be there and the vessel happened to be in the gunner's quoin.
It's indeed sad for the fisherman's family who set sail to earn a living but ended up losing his life without valid reason!!!
Very sad incident in the sea. Why such grave mistakes happen now and
then,even if we equipped with modern technologies? This is the second
incident in recent two years. Incidents in Australia and American
airports is recalled with sadness.This push us to think in the way of
feeling insecure among the powerful nation's citizens.
Will India Initiate the same legal proceedings like it did for the Italian Marines -firing killing fisherman near kerala ???
hi..
This incident shows the monopoly of US imperialism..There is nobody available to uphold the rights of fisherman.
another case of bullying; investigation is going to do little in reducing the sorrow of the bereaved family; how to address this issue;
This trust's object also for the welfare activities of the seafaring
fishermen community.The innocent seafarers who are shot dead by the US
Navy should pay compensation according to International maritime laws
and the kith and kin of the innocent seafaring fishermen are expecting
the dead bodies of the seafarers at RAMESWARAM and the Indian Embassy
at Dubai to intervene this case and solve this issue atonce
samson
managing trustee
SEAFARERS WELFARE AND CHARITABLE TRUST
DINDIGUL/INDIA
E-mail seafart2011@gmail.com
Please Email the Editor