The family of Aditya Sharma, a 23-year-old Indian seafarer from Himachal Pradesh, is demanding a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident that led to his death during an alleged U.S. attack on the MT Settebello off the coast of Oman. While 21 of the 24 Indian crew members were rescued, the confirmation of Sharma’s death has left his family devastated, prompting them to seek the return of his remains and raise concerns about the vessel’s command decisions and working conditions.
Sharma served as a deck cadet on the ship, and his family expressed their grief and frustration, calling for an inquiry into the events that transpired. Rajesh Sharma, Aditya’s father, has questioned why the vessel was allegedly navigated into a high-risk area and whether appropriate safety measures were taken. He also highlighted concerns regarding the exploitation of his son by senior crew members, noting that Aditya had expressed a desire to leave the ship due to mistreatment.
The Sharma family claims to have documentation of conversations regarding these issues and stated that a complaint was filed against the senior crew members. They allege that Aditya faced pressure to withdraw his complaint and endured a hostile work environment, often working up to 20 hours a day. They are urging the Ministry of External Affairs and local MP Anurag Thakur to initiate a thorough investigation to determine accountability for the incident.
