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An Indian sailor died after the MV GFS Galaxy was attacked off Oman and went missing at sea. The incident has intensified India's call to protect commercial shipping and de-escalate regional tensions.
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Dubai,UPDATED: Jul 15, 2026 19:06 IST
An Indian sailor who went missing after an attack on the cargo vessel MV GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman has died, the Indian Consulate in Dubai confirmed on Wednesday. The Cyprus-flagged vessel was attacked on Sunday, leaving one of its 11 Indian crew members missing, while 10 others were rescued.
The mission said Indian officials were closely coordinating with the UAE authorities and the shipping company to provide all possible assistance to the sailor's family. India had also condemned the attack on the vessel and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions in the region, saying the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must end.
The missing sailor was identified as 30-year-old Herambh Karmarkar from Pune, who was serving as a third engineer on the vessel when it was attacked. According to Gulf News, Karmarkar's family was informed by the shipping company on Tuesday evening that Oman's coast guard had recovered his body nearly 60 hours after he was reported missing.
"We express our deepest condolences at the tragic demise of an Indian national due to an attack on the commercial vessel MV GFS Galaxy on 12 July 2026," the mission said in a post on X. "The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family and is closely coordinating with the relevant UAE authorities and the shipping company to provide all possible support and assistance to the family," it said. "We are awaiting his mortal remains, which are currently with the Oman Navy. Herambh had been on the vessel for the last five months and was due to sign off soon," his father-in-law Vivek Tandon said on Wednesday.
Karmarkar is survived by his wife, mother and younger sister. Tandon said he had completed his marine engineering from the City of Glasgow College in the UK and had joined the merchant navy. The attack came amid fresh hostilities between Iran and the US, with India reiterating its call for de-escalation after the death of the Indian sailor and the rescue of the other 10 Indian crew members.
With PTI Inputs
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 15, 2026 19:06 IST
