The body of 30-year-old Indian marine engineer Heramb Karmarkar has been recovered after he went missing following an attack on the Cypriot-flagged cargo vessel GFS Galaxy near the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. Search operations continued for nearly three days before Omani authorities located his body. The vessel came under attack on July 12 while sailing through one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. The remaining 23 crew members, including 10 Indian nationals, were safely rescued.

According to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), Karmarkar’s family was informed about the recovery by the shipping company. His father-in-law appealed to the Government of India to ensure that his body is brought back home at the earliest. India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on the merchant vessel and stated that the Indian Embassy in Oman coordinated closely with Omani authorities during the search and recovery efforts. The ministry also stressed the importance of protecting civilian ships and ensuring safe maritime navigation.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing dangers faced by merchant seafarers in the Gulf region. Reports indicate that at least eight Indian sailors have lost their lives in attacks involving commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz since March. Around 15,000 Indian seafarers are currently serving on ships operating in the region, while India has over 320,000 active merchant seafarers worldwide. The latest attack has renewed calls for stronger international cooperation and diplomatic efforts to improve the safety and security of civilian shipping in the strategically important waterway.