Pune Engineer Confirmed Dead After Vessel Attack in Strait of Hormuz, Family Says
The family of Heramb Karmarkar, a third engineer aboard the container vessel MV GFS Galaxy, confirmed on Tuesday that he has died after the ship was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.
Rishi Tandon, a close family relative, told The Indian Express that authorities informed them Karmarkar was no more. Vivek Tondon, another relative, said the company confirmed the death on Tuesday afternoon and that the body is currently in the custody of the Oman Navy.
The family has demanded that the body be brought back to Pune safely and as soon as possible for last rites. They also noted that they have not yet been contacted by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, has seen heightened tensions in recent months, with several incidents involving commercial vessels. The MV GFS Galaxy, a Liberian-flagged container ship, was hit by an unknown projectile, leaving Karmarkar missing until the confirmation of his death.
Indian authorities have been in touch with Oman and international bodies to facilitate the return of the body. The family awaits further updates on the postmortem and other procedures before the remains are handed over to the company for repatriation.
