Tragic Loss: Indian Sailor Dies Following Attack on MV GFS Galaxy
Indian Sailor Confirmed Dead After Vessel Attack
Dubai: The Indian Consulate in Dubai has confirmed the death of an Indian sailor who went missing following an assault on the MV GFS Galaxy cargo ship near Oman’s coast.
Indian officials are actively working with UAE authorities and the shipping company to assist the family of the deceased sailor.
In a statement posted on X, the mission expressed, "We extend our heartfelt condolences for the tragic loss of an Indian national due to the attack on the commercial vessel MV GFS Galaxy on July 12, 2026."
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 Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family and is closely coordinating with the relevant UAE authorities and the…
— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) July 15, 2026
The attack on the Cyprus-flagged MV GFS Galaxy occurred on a Sunday, resulting in one of its eleven Indian crew members going missing, while ten others were successfully rescued.
The missing sailor, identified as 30-year-old Herambh Karmarkar from Pune, served as a third engineer on the vessel during the incident.
According to reports from Gulf News, Karmarkar's family was notified by the shipping company on Tuesday evening that his body had been recovered by Oman’s coast guard, approximately 60 hours after he was reported missing.
The Indian Consulate stated, "We are in contact with the grieving family and are coordinating with the relevant UAE authorities and the shipping company to provide all necessary support and assistance."
His father-in-law, Vivek Tandon, mentioned, "We are awaiting his remains, which are currently with the Oman Navy. Herambh had been on the vessel for five months and was scheduled to sign off soon."
Karmarkar leaves behind his wife, mother, and younger sister. He had completed his marine engineering studies at the City of Glasgow College in the UK before joining the merchant navy.
India has condemned the attack on the vessel and called for an urgent reduction of tensions in the region.
This incident occurred amid escalating hostilities between Iran and the US, with India emphasizing the need to cease attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure.