Indian Sailor Missing After Hormuz Ship Attack Confirmed Dead, Second Fatality in Three Days

An Indian marine engineer who went missing after the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy was attacked off the coast of Oman has been confirmed dead, according to his family.

The death of 30-year-old Heramb Karmarkar marks the second fatality involving an Indian seafarer in the Strait of Hormuz within three days, raising fresh concerns about the safety of Indian crew members operating in the conflict-hit region.

Family confirms Heramb Karmarkar's death

Heramb Karmarkar, a marine engineer aboard the GFS Galaxy, had been missing since Sunday's attack on the vessel.

His father-in-law, Vivek Tandon, told Reuters that the shipping company informed the family of Karmarkar's death.

India's Ministry of External Affairs had not officially commented on the development at the time of publication.

GFS Galaxy attacked off Oman

The Cyprus-flagged GFS Galaxy, carrying 24 crew members, including 11 Indians, was struck off the coast of Oman by what Cyprus authorities described as an "unidentified projectile."

Iran later claimed responsibility for the strike, alleging that the vessel attempted to pass through an unauthorised maritime route despite repeated warnings to alter its course.

The attack came amid renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Second Indian seafarer killed in three days

Karmarkar's death follows the killing of another Indian sailor on Tuesday after separate attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the earlier incident, India lodged a strong diplomatic protest with Iran and summoned the country's deputy ambassador to express concern over the safety of Indian nationals working aboard merchant vessels.

India steps up protection for seafarers

In response to the escalating security situation, the Centre has announced several measures aimed at protecting Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf region.

Following an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the government announced:

• A real-time operational dashboard to track Indian seafarers aboard vessels worldwide.
• Appointment of dedicated liaison officers for families of affected crew members.
• Enhanced coordination to support Indian sailors operating in high-risk maritime zones.

Officials said the government's response would remain "seafarer-first" as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate.

Fresh attacks heighten concerns

The government's latest measures also come after attacks on the UAE-flagged vessels MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, which together carried 46 crew members, including 30 Indians.

With repeated attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, concerns continue to grow over the safety of Indian seafarers employed on international merchant vessels.

Key Highlights

• Indian marine engineer Heramb Karmarkar has been confirmed dead after the GFS Galaxy attack.
• The Cyprus-flagged vessel carried 24 crew members, including 11 Indians.
• Karmarkar is the second Indian seafarer killed in the Strait of Hormuz within three days.
• Iran claimed it targeted the vessel after alleging it ignored navigation warnings.
• India has introduced new measures to monitor and support Indian seafarers in conflict zones.
• The government will deploy liaison officers and a real-time tracking dashboard for Indian crew members.

FAQs

Who was Heramb Karmarkar?

Heramb Karmarkar was a 30-year-old Indian marine engineer serving aboard the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy.

What happened to the GFS Galaxy?

The vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman after being struck by an unidentified projectile. Iran later claimed responsibility for the attack.

How many Indians were on board?

The GFS Galaxy had 24 crew members, including 11 Indian nationals.

What measures has India announced?

The Centre has launched a real-time monitoring dashboard for Indian seafarers and appointed dedicated liaison officers to assist families of affected crew members.

Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes, through which a significant share of global oil and natural gas shipments passes.