A Thai-flagged cargo ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering an explosion and fire on board and forcing crew members to abandon the vessel, the Royal Thai Navy said on 11 March.
The vessel, Mayuree Naree, operated by Precious Shipping, had departed from the anchorage area near Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates at around 03:00 Thailand time.
At approximately 11:10, when the ship was sailing in waters off Oman, it was struck twice by an unidentified weapon above the waterline, causing explosions near the stern and the engine room.
The blasts sparked a fire in the engine room of the vessel, leaving the ship heavily damaged.
According to the navy’s Maritime Traffic and Maritime Security Operations Centre, the ship was carrying 23 Thai crew members. During the emergency, 20 crew members evacuated the vessel on liferafts, while three remained on board.
The Omani navy later rescued the 20 crew members and brought them safely ashore at Khasab in Oman. Rescue operations were continuing to assist the remaining three crew members still on the vessel.
The Royal Thai Navy said it had coordinated with the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain, as well as Thai embassies in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, to support search and rescue operations.
Assistance was also requested from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations to help coordinate maritime safety and rescue efforts.
Thai authorities, including the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Marine Department, are working with the navy to assist the crew and ensure their safe return to Thailand.
Officials said authorities are continuing to investigate the attack, including the type of weapon used and those responsible.
