Missing Pune engineer after Hormuz ship attack confirms death of family | Today’s news
A Pune-based marine engineer who went missing after the container ship MV GFS Galaxy was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz has been confirmed dead by his family.
Heramb Karmarkar was serving as third engineer aboard the Cypriot-flagged cargo ship when it was attacked near Omani waters early Sunday. He was the only crew member missing after the incident.
“The authorities have now informed us that Heramb is no more,” Rishi Tandon, a close family relative, told The Indian Express.
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Pune-based marine engineer Heramb Karmarkar went missing after the MV GFS Galaxy was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz and has since been confirmed dead by his family.
India’s Forward Seamen’s Union criticized the delay in official communication about Karmarkar’s status as unacceptable and called for an independent investigation into the attack.
The crew managed to anchor the MV GFS Galaxy after it was hit and subsequently abandoned the vessel in lifeboats to ensure their safety.
Yes, the Indian government is calling for stricter measures to be taken to protect its seafarers, especially after the recent deaths and injuries among Indian crew members.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks, summoned Iranian diplomats and stressed the need for a ceasefire to ensure the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Another relative, Vivek Tandon, said the family received confirmation of Karmarkar’s death from his employer on Tuesday afternoon.
“The body is currently in the custody of the Oman Navy. After post-mortem and other formalities, it will be handed over to the company before being flown back to Pune. We have not been contacted by the Ministry of External Affairs so far, but we request that the body be brought safely as soon as possible for the last rites,” he told the Indian Express.
The ship hit near Oman
The MV GFS Galaxy, carrying cargo through the Strait of Hormuz, was sailing near Omani waters around 3:30 am (India time) on Sunday when it was hit by a projectile. The hit caused a fire in the engine room and the vessel was left without propulsion.
The crew reportedly managed to anchor the ship before abandoning it in lifeboats.
Read also | India condemns attack on UAE-linked vessels that killed an Indian in Hormuz
At the time of the incident, 24 crew members, including 11 Indians, were on board the vessel. The Royal Navy of Oman reportedly rescued 23 crew members. Karmarkar, who was believed to be near the engine room at the time of the attack, remained missing until his death was confirmed.
His last contact with his family was at 2:49 am (India time) on Sunday when he informed them that he had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz. He had been at sea for more than three months.
In a post on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it launched another round of strikes against Iran after it blamed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for an attack on a merchant ship.
CENTCOM said the Cypriot-flagged MV GFS Galaxy suffered “significant engine room damage” due to a fire on board and was unable to continue sailing. It had earlier confirmed that one civilian crew member was missing.
The Marine Corps criticizes the delay
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) criticized what it described as a delay in official communication regarding Karmarkar’s whereabouts, according to an Indian Express report.
The FSUI, while criticizing the IRGC attack on the ship, called it an “unacceptable war crime against innocent sailors”. It also demanded the immediate epatriation of Karmarkar’s remains and an independent investigation into the targeted attacks on the engine room and full accountability.
Read also | Indian sailor killed in Hormuz; FSUI reports sailor deaths in Gulf conflict
India summons Iranian diplomat
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday summoned Iranian diplomats, including Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini, over the recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the MEA condemned the attacks targeting seafarers and commercial shipping, saying such incidents threaten the free and safe navigation of international waterways.
“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MV GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman. Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while one Indian national is reported missing,” the MEA said in a statement.
