Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Seafarer Aditya Sharma Killed in MT Settebello Attack Near Hormuz, Family Alleges Exploitation and Demands Probe
The tragic death of 23-year-old Indian seafarer Aditya Sharma in the MT Settebello attack near the Strait of Hormuz has sparked fresh questions about the safety of maritime workers and the circumstances leading up to the incident. Aditya’s family, devastated by the loss, has now demanded a high-level investigation, alleging exploitation, excessive working hours, and negligence on board the vessel.
The tragic death of 23-year-old Indian seafarer Aditya Sharma in the MT Settebello attack near the Strait of Hormuz has sparked fresh questions about the safety of maritime workers and the circumstances leading up to the incident. Aditya’s family, devastated by the loss, has now demanded a high-level investigation, alleging exploitation, excessive working hours, and negligence on board the vessel.
Aditya Sharma, a native of Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh, was serving as a deck cadet on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello. He was among three Indian crew members who lost their lives after the vessel came under attack in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities confirmed that 21 Indian crew members were rescued, while three sailors, including Aditya, were killed.
Family Alleges Harsh Working Conditions
Aditya’s father, Rajesh Sharma, has made serious allegations regarding the working conditions aboard the ship. According to him, Aditya had informed the family about exploitation by senior crew members and had even attempted to resign from his position in April.
Rajesh Sharma claimed that his son was pressured to withdraw his resignation request and was forced to continue working under extremely difficult conditions. He alleged that Aditya regularly worked nearly 20-hour shifts, describing the environment on the vessel as unbearable.
The grieving father has urged Indian authorities to investigate whether workplace conditions on the ship contributed to the events that unfolded before the fatal attack.
Questions Raised Over Captain’s Decisions
The family has also questioned the decisions taken by the ship’s leadership in the days leading up to the tragedy.
According to Rajesh Sharma, Aditya had informed them during his last conversations that the vessel had received warnings while navigating through the high-risk Gulf region. The family believes the captain should have exercised greater caution, especially after reports of attacks on nearby vessels.
They have further demanded clarification on operational decisions, including allegations that the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) may have been disabled during the voyage. These claims have not been independently verified, but the family insists a detailed inquiry is necessary.
Family Seeks Answers and Repatriation of Mortal Remains
Aditya’s uncle, Sanjiv Sharma, recalled the heartbreaking hours spent trying to locate him after receiving information that he was missing.
According to the family, they spent an entire night contacting company officials and seeking updates before finally learning that Aditya had died in the incident. The family is now focused on bringing his mortal remains back to India so that final rites can be performed.
Relatives have also sought answers regarding Aditya’s location on the vessel at the time of the attack and whether sufficient rescue efforts were made after the strike.
Political Leaders Extend Support
The tragedy has drawn attention from political leaders in Himachal Pradesh and at the national level.
Senior BJP leader and Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur has reportedly requested External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to coordinate with Indian diplomatic officials and facilitate the early return of Aditya’s body to India.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed condolences and assured the family of all possible support during this difficult time.
Growing Demand for a Transparent Investigation
As grief grips Aditya Sharma’s hometown, calls for accountability continue to grow. The family wants authorities to investigate not only the attack itself but also the working conditions, leadership decisions, and safety protocols aboard MT Settebello.
The International Maritime Organization has also called for a full and transparent investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need to protect seafarers and ensure maritime safety in conflict-prone regions.
For Aditya Sharma’s family, however, the focus remains on bringing their son home and finding answers to the questions surrounding his final days at sea.
