Thailand’s foreign minister announced on Wednesday that three Thai crew members from a cargo ship have died after the vessel was struck by Iran while navigating the Strait of Hormuz a month ago. This incident occurred amidst heightened tensions following US-Israeli military actions against Iran, which led Tehran to effectively close the strait, a vital route for global oil transportation, and to launch assaults on maritime vessels.
The Thai-flagged cargo ship, Mayuree Naree, was hit on March 11 as it was traveling through the Gulf after departing from a port in the United Arab Emirates. At the time of the incident, twenty Thai crew members were able to return home in mid-March, while three others were reported missing and believed to be trapped in the damaged engine room.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirmed the tragic news, stating, “Unfortunately, the three remaining crew members we found eventually, they lost their lives in the incident.” This development underscores the ongoing risks faced by maritime operations in the region amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
