Aditya Sharma
Aditya Sharma was killed when the tanker MT Settebello, on which he served as a deck cadet, was attacked by US military forces in the Gulf of Oman. The strike targeted the vessel's engine room and caused severe damage to the ship. Following the attack, Sharma was initially reported missing, but authorities later confirmed that his body had been located and identified among the casualties.
According to official statements, the MT Settebello was operating in the Gulf of Oman when US military forces conducted what they described as a precision strike against the vessel. CENTCOM stated that the tanker had repeatedly failed to comply with directions issued by US forces enforcing a blockade on Iranian-linked maritime traffic. A US aircraft reportedly fired munitions into the vessel's engine room. The resulting impact caused significant destruction aboard the tanker. While most crew members were rescued, Aditya Sharma and two other Indian seafarers lost their lives. Their deaths occurred in the context of heightened military tensions and maritime operations associated with the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Biography
Aditya Sharma was an Indian merchant navy seafarer serving as a deck cadet aboard the tanker MT Settebello. He was among 24 Indian crew members working on the vessel when it came under attack in the Gulf of Oman. Sharma was described by family members as a young sailor dedicated to his maritime career and was expected to return home after his assignment before his duty period was extended.
Aditya Sharma was a young Indian maritime professional employed as a deck cadet on the tanker MT Settebello. As part of the vessel's crew, he was working in one of the world's most strategically important shipping corridors near the Strait of Hormuz. According to his father, Rajesh Sharma, Aditya had been scheduled to return home in May 2026, but his contract or duty period was extended. The family remained in contact with him, and his father reported speaking with him only days before the attack. Following the US military strike on the vessel, Aditya was initially listed among the missing crew members. Authorities later confirmed that he had died in the incident. His death became a focal point of diplomatic protests by India and raised concerns regarding the safety of civilian merchant seafarers operating in conflict-affected maritime regions.
Pleas of Surviving Relatives and Family if any
Aditya Sharma's father, Rajesh Sharma, publicly questioned the circumstances that led to the attack and called for a full investigation. He asked who was responsible for the deaths of the three Indian sailors and demanded that the events leading to the tragedy be thoroughly examined. He also questioned why the vessel was operating near the Strait of Hormuz and awaited the return of his son's body for final rites. The family's principal plea was for accountability and a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
Additional Information
Aditya Sharma was killed when the tanker MT Settebello, on which he served as a deck cadet, was attacked by US military forces in the Gulf of Oman. The strike targeted the vessel’s engine room and caused severe damage to the ship. Following the attack, Sharma was initially reported missing, but authorities later confirmed that his body had been located and identified among the casualties.
Sources & References
Three Indian sailors killed in US strike on oil tanker1 bbc.com Open source
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/11/india-says-incident-on-vessel-off-oman-confirms-3-dead-in-seperate-strike#:~:text=IndiasaysUS,ministryofficialsaid.2 aljazeera.com Open source
Delhi issues ‘strong protest’ after US strikes kill three Indian seafarers in Gulf Washington claims vessel was violating its blockade of Iranian ports and failed to comply with instructions3 theguardian.com Open source