23-year-old Indian seafarer Aditya Sharma talked about the tense situation at sea in the last conversation he had with his family before he was killed in an attack on the Palau-flagged merchant vessel MT Settebello off the coast of Oman.
Aditya, a resident of Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district, was among three Indian crew members who died after the vessel came under attack by American forces on June 9 amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Of the 24 Indian seafarers on board, 21 were rescued.
His father, Rajesh Sharma, told The Indian Express that Aditya had spoken to the family on WhatsApp on Sunday and mentioned warnings received from the US Navy.
“We spoke almost daily. On a WhatsApp call on Sunday, he told me that they got at least two warnings from the US Navy in the past fortnight, and that the ship is still trying to push towards the Strait of Hormuz. We were worried. Another ship, in their vicinity, was attacked on the same day, but he assured us that all the crew aboard that ship were safely rescued,” Rajesh Sharma said.
Family seeks answers
The family learnt about Aditya’s death on Thursday after being informed by the company operating the vessel.
“We are told that the concerned embassy has informed the [Indian] government. We do not know if his body has been found. We are waiting for more information,” Rajesh Sharma said.
The family has urged the government to help bring back his mortal remains.
“I want to know what happened in his last moments. What were the circumstances? What efforts were made to rescue him… whether he got any help? Usne kitna fight kiya hoga survival ke liye [He must have fought hard for survival]. People on board are among the first to be rescued…”
Also Read | Three Indians dead, dozens rescued after merchant vessel attack off Oman
First voyage ends in tragedy
Aditya had studied Nautical Science in Chennai and completed an advanced diploma in Nautical Science in Glasgow before joining MT Settebello in November 2025 on his first deployment, as reported by The Indian Express.
“When he joined in November [2025], there was no war. He told us the ship had earlier done the China-Singapore route and was now headed to Oman. He was planning to sign off from Oman in May, but later decided to stay on for another two months,” his father said.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of the three missing Indian crew members through a post on X and said the government was taking steps to repatriate both the rescued crew and the bodies of the deceased.
“Two more sailors are dead. They were also like my children. I just cannot understand why so many lives were put in danger… when there were repeated warnings. Who will take responsibility for our loss?” Rajesh Sharma asked.
Also Read | What is a demarche? All about India’s protest to the US over Settebello vessel strike near Oman
FAQs:
1.Who was Aditya Sharma?
Aditya Sharma was a 23-year-old Indian deck cadet from Himachal Pradesh who died in the MT Settebello incident off Oman.
2.What did Aditya tell his family before the attack?
He said the vessel had received at least two warnings from the US Navy in the previous fortnight.
