Iranian strikes kill at least 18 seafarers in Strait of Hormuz since February

Iranian strikes have killed at least 18 seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz since February, with most victims Indian nationals, The Independent reported. Herambh Karmarkar, a 30-year-old marine engineer, sent his family a message saying his ship had crossed the strait safely on Sunday.

Hours later, an unidentified projectile struck the Cyprus-flagged container vessel GFS Galaxy off Oman, killing him and leaving 23 other crew members aboard. U.S. Central Command confirmed the strike on the Dubai-bound ship. The family in India received official notification of his death on Wednesday.

Attacks and casualties Rohan Kumar, 31, died after two Emirati oil tankers came under attack on Tuesday. His brother told the Hindustan Times that Kumar had been supporting the family through his work at sea. India has barred its nationals from working in the strait until further notice. At least 16 other seafarers have been killed in the waterway since February.

Conditions for remaining crew More than 20,000 seafarers of various nationalities work in the region, and the International Maritime Organisation plans to evacuate at least 6,000 who are stranded. Maritime unions report that crews have gone weeks or months without food, fuel for air conditioning, and medication.

Most workers come from the Global South and rely on this income as their families' sole support. The International Transport Workers Federation has received more than 3,000 requests for assistance since February, many concerning unpaid wages and repatriation.

Ten percent of requests involve shortages of provisions and fuel. Under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, crews are considered abandoned when denied food, water, fuel, and medical care for two months. Enforcement is difficult in international waters where vessels fly flags of convenience.