Pune, 15th July 2026: The death of Pune-based marine engineer Heramb Karmarkar has been confirmed after an Iranian missile attack on the container ship MV GFS Galaxy near the Strait of Hormuz. Karmarkar, who was serving as the ship's Third Engineer, had gone missing following Sunday's attack. His family confirmed his death on Tuesday.
The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States in West Asia, with commercial vessels and Indian sailors increasingly caught in the crossfire.
The Liberia-flagged cargo vessel MV GFS Galaxy was sailing near Oman's territorial waters at around 3.30 am IST on Sunday when it was hit by a missile. The impact triggered a fire inside the engine room, leaving the ship disabled.
The crew anchored the vessel before evacuating through lifeboats. The Royal Navy of Oman later rescued 23 of the 24 crew members, including 11 Indians. Karmarkar remained untraceable after the attack and is believed to have been near the engine room when the missile struck.
Just minutes before the attack, at 2.49 am IST, Karmarkar had spoken to his family and informed them that the vessel had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz. He had been at sea for more than three months and was expected to return to India soon after completing his assignment.
In a separate incident, Iran allegedly launched missile attacks on two UAE-linked merchant vessels, Al Bahiya and Mombasa, while they were navigating the southern shipping corridor of the Strait of Hormuz.
The two ships together had 30 Indian crew members on board. One Indian sailor aboard Al Bahiya was killed and another injured. On Mombasa, nine Indian sailors sustained injuries, with two reported to be in serious condition.
India summoned Iran's Deputy Ambassador Mohammad Javad Hosseini to formally protest the attacks. The Ministry of External Affairs said India strongly condemns attacks targeting civilian sailors and commercial vessels operating through international sea lanes.
The ministry also urged all sides to immediately stop violence and pursue dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in West Asia.
The Ministry of External Affairs expressed condolences over the death of the Indian sailor and wished the injured a speedy recovery. It said the Indian Embassy in the UAE is closely monitoring the situation and is coordinating with authorities in the Gulf region to ensure all possible assistance to the affected Indian crew members.
The latest attacks have intensified concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes. The continuing conflict between Iran and the United States has increased risks for commercial shipping, with Indian seafarers among those most affected.
According to government figures, 14 Indians have lost their lives in the ongoing West Asia conflict that began after military hostilities escalated earlier this year. The latest attacks have further raised fears over the safety of international shipping and the possibility of a prolonged regional conflict.