MT Settebello attack: Family of Indian sailor alleges exploitation, negligence on board
PTC News Desk: Following the death of Aditya Sharma in the attack on the MT Settebello in the Strait of Hormuz, his family has levelled serious allegations against the ship’s command and working conditions on board.
The tanker was struck and disabled by the US military off the Oman Coast, allegedly for violating an American blockade by "attempting to transport oil from Iran".
Rajesh Sharma, the father of one of the missing crew members, appealed to India's Ministry of External Affairs through social media, seeking help in locating his son, Aditya Sharma.
In a post on X, he wrote: “Vessel Settebello. I am father of one of the three crew missing. Aditya Sharma is my son. Please help to locate and find him.”
The appeal came before Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the deaths of the three Indian sailors who had initially been reported missing.
Rajesh Sharma also alleged that his son had faced harassment and exploitation aboard the vessel. According to him, Aditya had complained in April about mistreatment by senior crew members and had wanted to leave the ship.
“My son reported exploitation by seniors on the ship and wanted to quit in April. We have records of all conversations. A complaint was filed, but senior crew members allegedly pressured him to withdraw it. After that, he was subjected to a hostile work environment and made to work up to 20 hours a day,” Sharma claimed in another post.
He also shared what he said was a WhatsApp message from the shipping company informing the family about the incident. The message stated that the vessel MT Settebello had been struck by a missile and that three crew members, including Aditya Sharma, were missing.
Following the attack, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that 21 of the 24 Indian crew members aboard the vessel had been rescued, while three remained unaccounted for at the time.
- PTC NEWS
