In its first statement after the attack on the Thai-flagged cargo ship, India said it “condemns” the attack on the commercial ship. India also reiterated the need to avoid attacks on merchant vessels and actions that endanger the lives of crew members. Mayuree Naree was heading to Kandla in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement: “We have seen reports of an attack on the Thai ship Mayuree Naree in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. The ship was bound for Kandla, India.”
“India condemns the fact that commercial shipping is becoming the target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including Indian citizens, have already been lost in many such attacks in the earlier phase of this conflict, and the intensity and lethality of the attacks seem to be only increasing,” the Indian government said.
India further reiterated the need to avoid targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members or otherwise “impeding freedom of navigation and commerce”.
An Iranian missile hit a Thai-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, March 11, shortly after it left the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The attack on the vessel comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt the world’s most critical shipping lanes – the Strait of Hormuz.
The Mayuree Naree, a 30,000 ton bulk carrier owned by Precious Shipping Pcl, was attacked while transiting a strategic waterway.
The Omani navy rescued 20 crew members who abandoned the ship and evacuated in a lifeboat and brought them ashore in Khasab, Thai navy spokesman Paraj Ratanajaipan said in a statement.
At least three people are currently missing. Paraj said efforts are on to locate the missing crew members. The attacks remained under investigation.
Images shared by the Thai Navy showed thick smoke billowing from the ship’s rear, where it was believed to have been hit.
Two projectiles of unknown origin hit the vessel and started a fire in its engine room, Precious Shipping said in a filing to the Thai stock exchange late on Wednesday. Three crew members who were initially reported missing are believed to be trapped in space, the company said, adding that it was working with authorities to rescue them.
The Mayuree Naree was the only Thai-flagged vessel remaining in the area. The others have already sailed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said: “The other Thai ships have already passed through the Strait of Hormuz. We have passed the most critical period. Only the Mayuree Naree remains.”
