THAILAND SEEKS IRAN’S HELP TO FIND 3 MISSING CREW MEMBERS

ISTANBUL, March 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Thailand has sought Iran’s assistance in the search-and-rescue operation for three Thai crew members who went missing after a Thai-flagged cargo ship was hit near the Strait of Hormuz last week, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, citing local media reports on Monday.

In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi on Sunday, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, asked Tehran to allow access to the Thai cargo ship so the three missing crew members can be located, state broadcaster Thai PBS World reported.

The ship, Mayuree Naree, was hit near the stern while sailing in waters near Oman on March 11, amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

Twenty crew members jumped overboard and were rescued. They arrived in Thailand on Monday.

The Oman Navy is leading the rescue operation as the ship is in Omani waters, but the operation has faced hurdles because the site is in the middle of a conflict zone.

The two ministers also discussed measures to ensure the safe passage of Thai cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial shipping routes.

Bangkok called on “all parties” to return to dialogue and diplomacy as soon as possible to ease tensions in West Asia.

According to a tally by Anadolu, at least 22 people from Asian nations have been either killed or remain missing since the latest conflict broke out in the region.

They include six from India, four from Bangladesh, three from Pakistan, and one each from China, Nepal, and the Philippines; three from Indonesia and three from Thailand are missing in the waters off Oman and in the Strait of Hormuz.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU