Shimla: Aditya Sharma (23), a deck cadet with the Merchant Navy who lost his life in a munition attack on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman on June 9 amid the US-Iran conflict, was cremated at his native Bhalu village in Hamirpur district on Thursday.
His mortal remains were handed over to the family after a post-mortem at Dr Radhakrishnan Government Medical College and Hospital, Hamirpur. Relatives, villagers, and officials attended the cremation. Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner Gandharva Rathore paid his final respects to the young sailor.
Speaking to reporters, Aditya's father, Rajesh Sharma, urged the Centre to take steps to ensure the safety of Indian sailors working on international shipping routes. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussions with US President Donald Trump during the G7 Summit would lead to stronger safeguards for seafarers operating in conflict zones.
