Indian sailor dies in MV GFS Galaxy attack off Oman, UAE mission aids family

Dubai,UPDATED: Jul 15, 2026 18:40 IST

Indian officials are closely coordinating with the UAE authorities and the shipping company to help the family of an Indian national who died after an attack on the cargo vessel MV GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, the Indian Consulate in Dubai said on Wednesday. The mission said it was providing all possible support and assistance to the family.

The attack on the Cyprus-flagged vessel on Sunday had left one of its 11 Indian crew members missing, while 10 others were rescued. The missing crew member was later identified as 30-year-old Herambh Karmarkar, a third engineer on board.

In a post on X, the mission said, "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." It added, "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."

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 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.

India had condemned the attack on the vessel and called for immediate de-escalation of tensions in the region. The attack came amid fresh hostilities between Iran and the US, with India reiterating that the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end.

The Indian mission's response came as the family awaited the return of Karmarkar's mortal remains after the attack off Oman, in which 10 Indian crew members were rescued and one life was lost.

With PTI Inputs

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