The search for Heramb Karmarkar, the third engineer aboard the container vessel MV GFS Galaxy who disappeared after the ship was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, ended in tragedy on Tuesday after his family confirmed his death.
Karmarkar was one of 24 crew members aboard the cargo vessel, which included 11 Indian nationals, when it was attacked by Iran in Omani waters at around 3.30 am IST on Sunday. Shipping authorities said the projectile struck the vessel's engine room, sparking a fire that disabled its propulsion system.
Despite the damage, the crew succeeded in anchoring the ship before evacuating in lifeboats. Approximately two hours later, the Royal Navy of Oman rescued 23 crew members. Karmarkar, who is believed to have been near the engine room when the projectile hit, remained the only crew member unaccounted for.
The last time Karmarkar spoke to his family was at 2.49 am IST on Sunday. During the call, he informed them that the vessel had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz. He had spent more than three months at sea and was expected to return to India after completing his assignment.
The attack comes against the backdrop of intensifying hostilities in West Asia, where commercial vessels have increasingly come under attack in recent weeks. The Strait of Hormuz is among the world's busiest maritime corridors, carrying nearly one-fifth of global oil trade, making any disruption to navigation in the region a significant international concern.
India has condemned the attacks on merchant shipping in the strategic waterway. In response to the latest incident, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest.
In a statement, the MEA said it “strongly condemns these attacks targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz." The ministry also expressed “deep concern on account of the resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities in the West Asian region" and called for an “immediate cessation of violence and a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region."
The ministry further stressed that “the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease" so that “free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways, in keeping with international law, can be restored at the earliest." It added that Indian diplomatic missions in the region were working with local authorities to provide all possible assistance to affected Indian seafarers.
Also Read | 'Pay 3 Lakhs, Will Add One More 0...': Supreme Court Warns Comedian Samay Raina
