Human remains discovered aboard Thai vessel following Strait of Hormuz incident

Due to the severity of the damage, officials have not yet been able to verify the identities of the deceased.

The Nation

The Nation

         

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This handout photo taken on March 11, 2026 and released by the Royal Thai Navy shows smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier 'Mayuree Naree' near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack. PHOTO: AFP

April 6, 2026

BANGKOK – The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms search teams have found remains on the damaged ‘Mayuree Naree’ after a fire and flooding in the engine room.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a sombre update regarding the Thai commercial vessel Mayuree Naree, which was involved in a serious maritime incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz last month.

On 3 April 2026, Precious Shipping PLC, the vessel’s owner, informed the Ministry that a specialised search and rescue team had successfully boarded the ship for a second time.

Despite challenging conditions—including extensive fire damage and a flooded engine room—the team conducted a detailed inspection of all accessible areas.

During this operation, the team discovered human remains within the damaged sections of the ship. However, due to the severity of the damage, officials have not yet been able to verify the identities of the deceased.

The company has already notified the families of the three missing crew members regarding these latest developments.

Diplomatic Response and Next Steps

The Ministry expressed its profound sadness over the discovery and pledged to coordinate closely with Thai embassies, Iranian authorities, and forensic experts to expedite the identification process.

In a broader appeal for regional stability, the MFA statement urged all parties involved in the ongoing maritime tensions to prioritise diplomacy.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on all parties concerned to return to dialogue at the earliest opportunity to bring an end to the conflict in accordance with international law, while ensuring the safety of civilians and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”

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