3 Thai crew on attacked ship 'still alive'

Three Thai sailors remain alive aboard the damaged cargo ship MV Mayuree Naree after it was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Adm Thadawut Thatphithakkul, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Navy.

- POST REPORTERS

He said yesterday the vessel caught fire after being struck on Wednesday while sailing near waters off Oman. The blaze was later extinguished.

Twenty crew members were rescued from the ship and brought ashore to the Omani port city of Khasab, where they are being cared for while awaiting repatriation. The remaining three sailors are still on board the vessel. According to the ship's owner, they are alive, Adm Thadawut said.

"Rescue vessels have not yet been able to reach them because Iranian forces may fire at ships in the area, making it too dangerous for recovery teams to approach," he said. Authorities are continuing to check whether the three sailors have sustained injuries, but confirmed there have been no fatalities.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said confirmation of the survivors must come from the government of Oman.