Three crew members were reported missing after a Thai-flagged cargo vessel was struck by projectiles while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, Thai authorities said, underscoring the growing risks facing commercial shipping in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.

The vessel, a bulk carrier identified as the Mayuree Naree, was hit by two projectiles while transiting near the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman.

The impact triggered a fire in the ship’s engine room, forcing most of the crew to abandon the vessel for safety as thick smoke rose from the damaged section of the ship.

There were twenty-three people on board at the time of the attack.

Twenty crew members were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman and taken to shore, while three others remained missing and were believed to have been working in the engine room when the fire erupted.

The vessel had departed Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates and was bound for Kandla in India when it came under attack in the busy shipping lane.

Maritime authorities and the vessel’s operator said rescue and recovery efforts were under way as officials worked to determine the exact cause and responsibility for the strike.

The incident occurred during a sharp escalation of violence affecting shipping across the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments.

Several commercial vessels have been struck or damaged in recent days as the wider regional conflict intensified.

Maritime security agencies have warned that attacks on vessels in the region have increased significantly since the conflict began, with projectiles, drones and other weapons targeting ships attempting to navigate the route.

The wave of incidents has raised alarms among shipping companies and governments concerned about the safety of crews and the stability of global energy supplies.

Thai authorities said they were closely coordinating with international partners and the ship’s operator as the search for the missing crew members continued.

Investigators are also examining the circumstances of the strike and the broader security situation affecting maritime traffic through the Gulf.

The attack highlights the strategic vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint where even isolated incidents can disrupt global trade flows and energy markets.