On Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack on the Thai ship Mayuri Nari, which was heading to Kandla in Gujarat state, in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that “India regrets” the targeting of commercial ships in the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Precious Shipping, the ship’s Thai-listed operator, said in a statement that the Thai-flagged bulk carrier was hit by “projectiles of unknown origin” while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire and damage to the engine room. Follow live updates of US-Iran war news
Reuters quoted Precious Shipping as saying, “Three crew members have been reported missing and are believed to be trapped in the engine room.”
Later, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that it hit Mayuri Nare with Iranian projectiles. They confirmed that the Guard forces opened fire on the bulk ship flying the Thai flag in the Strait of Hormuz.
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“India deplores the fact that commercial shipping has become a target of military attacks in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Precious lives, including Indian nationals, have already been lost in several similar attacks in the previous phase of this conflict, and the intensity and lethality of the attacks appears to be increasing,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The Ministry stressed the need to avoid targeting commercial ships and endangering the lives of their civilian crew members.
A Thai ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz
The Thai-registered ship, Mayuri Nari, was hit by Iranian projectiles in the strait while on its way to Kandla port in Gujarat state.
The ship had left Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates and was crossing the narrow shipping lane, which is also the largest oil lane in the world, when it was hit by the projectile.
The Royal Thai Navy said heavy smoke was seen rising from the ship’s hull and superstructure after the attack.
Mayuree Naree is a bulk carrier 178 meters long and has a displacement of approximately 30,000 tons.
Officials said that 20 crew members were rescued, while search efforts continue for three missing people. The rescued crew members were pulled from the water after abandoning the ship.
“The specific details of the attack and its cause are currently under investigation,” the Thai Navy said in a statement.
