Tehran, Iran – The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, reported Friday morning that a Thai-flagged cargo ship ran aground off the southern coast of the strategic island of Qeshm. This comes two weeks after the ship was targeted by a missile attack in the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the continued deterioration of security in the vital waterway.
Details of the attack and explosion
The ill-fated vessel, named “Mayuri Naree,” was struck by a missile of unknown origin in mid-March while transiting the strait.
Technical reports indicate that the attack resulted in a powerful explosion at the stern of the ship. This caused a massive fire in the engine room, which in turn led to the loss of control over the propulsion and steering systems. Consequently, the vessel ran aground off the coast of the Iranian island.
Rescue operations and missing persons
For its part, the Thai Navy spokesperson confirmed that international rescue efforts, led by the Omani Navy, successfully evacuated 20 crew members and brought them to safety.
However, concerns remain regarding the fate of three other crew members. They have been considered missing since the moment of the explosion and the outbreak of flames in the ship’s aft compartments.
Environmental and navigational repercussions
The grounding of the Mayuri Nari has raised environmental concerns in the sensitive area surrounding Qeshm Island, with fears of fuel or cargo spills. The incident comes amid escalating military tensions in the region. Commercial vessels have become frequent targets of missile and drone attacks. These events have prompted several countries, including the UAE, to call for the formation of an international naval force to guarantee freedom of navigation. They have also demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been experiencing a near-total halt in global oil and gas flows.
