Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Thai Authorities Seek Iranian Assistance After Cargo Ship Incident


(MENAFN) Thailand has asked Iran to assist in locating three of its crew members who went missing after a Thai-flagged cargo ship was struck near the Strait of Hormuz last week, according to reports.

In a phone conversation on Sunday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Thailand’s foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, requested access to the Thai cargo vessel to recover the missing crew. The ship, Mayuree Naree, was hit near the stern while sailing in waters close to Oman on March 11 amid rising Middle East tensions.

Twenty crew members jumped overboard and were rescued, arriving safely in Thailand on Monday. The Oman Navy is leading the ongoing rescue operation, although progress has been hindered by the fact that the ship is in an active conflict zone.

The two officials also discussed measures to ensure the safe passage of Thai cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes. Bangkok has called on “all parties” to return to dialogue and diplomacy as soon as possible to ease regional tensions.

According to tallies from reports, at least 22 people from Asian countries have either been killed or remain missing since the latest outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. This includes six from India, four from Bangladesh, three from Pakistan, one each from China, Nepal, and the Philippines, and three each from Indonesia and Thailand who are missing in the waters off Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

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