Bangkok seeks Iran access to ship as fate of three crew unknown

Thailand has asked Iran to allow access to a Thai-flagged cargo ship, which was damaged by a weapon of war near the Strait of Hormuz last Wednesday, to enable three missing Thai crew members to be found, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said.

The vessel, the Mayuree Naree, was struck by a rocket on March 11 while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Twenty crew members jumped overboard and were rescued. Three others remain missing.

They were working in the engine room at the stern of the vessel when it was struck by a projectile fired by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Images show the stern of the ship badly damaged, with a large hole in the hull.

Sihasak said he held a telephone conversation on Sunday with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, to seek Iran’s assistance in the search for the missing crew. He also requested Iran’s cooperation by allowing Thai authorities access to the vessel to support the rescue efforts.

The Omani Navy is leading the rescue operation as the ship is in Omani waters, but the operation has faced difficulties because the site is in the middle of the conflict zone.

The two ministers also discussed measures to ensure the safe passage of Thai cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Sihasak called on all parties concerned to return to dialogue and diplomacy to ease tensions in the Middle East as soon as possible.