More than three months after the Mayuree Naree was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the three seafarers who lost their lives in the incident have finally been brought home.
In a statement, Bangkok-based Precious Shipping confirmed that the remains of the crew members killed aboard its Thai-flagged bulk carrier on 11 March have been repatriated to Thailand.
The company offered its deepest condolences to the families and said it remains committed to supporting them during this difficult time.
The attack happened as the Mayuree Naree was sailing out of the Arabian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The vessel was struck by two projectiles, turning what should have been a routine transit into a tragedy.
There were 23 crew members on board. Twenty managed to escape the vessel and were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman, but three sailors are believed to have been in the engine room when the ship was hit and did not survive.
After the attack, the damaged bulk carrier drifted through the strait before reportedly running aground near Qeshm Island, off Iran’s southern coast.
The incident remains one of the deadliest attacks on a commercial vessel since tensions escalated in the region earlier this year.
According to figures released by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), 49 merchant vessels had been attacked between 28 February and 30 June, leaving 14 seafarers dead.
While attention often turns to the disruption such incidents cause to global trade and shipping routes, the return of the three crew members to Thailand is a reminder that behind every attack are families waiting for loved ones who may never come home.
As commercial vessels continue to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite the security risks, the safety of seafarers remains one of the industry’s biggest concerns.
