A Thai-flagged bulk carrier came under attack on Wednesday while sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, said the Royal Thai Navy.

The Mayuree Naree was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz after departing a port in the United Arab Emirates, the statement of the Royal Thai Navy reads.

“The cause of the attack is currently under investigation,” it added.

Following the incident, the Royal Thai Navy immediately coordinated rescue efforts. Photos shared by the Navy showed heavy black smoke rising from the 30,193-dwt vessel Mayuree Naree, with life rafts floating in the water.

It was not immediately clear whether the attack was one of three commercial ship incidents that the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said earlier Wednesday had taken place in the area.

Three ships hit by projectiles, says UKMTO

Three vessels have been struck by projectiles, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Wednesday, the latest in a flurry of incidents reported in or near the Strait of Hormuz.

One cargo ship reported it had been struck by an unknown projectile 11 nautical miles north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire onboard and forcing the crew to evacuate, the UKMTO said.

Two other incidents were also reported on Wednesday morning, with one bulk carrier struck by a projectile 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai and another container vessel sustaining damage from a suspected but unknown projectile.

The extent of the damage to the container vessel is currently unknown but under investigation by the crew. The master additionally reported that all crew members are safe and accounted for.

The master of the bulk carrier reported that the crew are “safe and well” with the authorities investigating the incident. There is no report of any environmental impact.

The UKMTO urged vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities continue to investigate.

The UKMTO said it had received 17 reports of incidents affecting vessels operating in and around the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz (SOH) and Gulf of Oman between Feb. 28, when the war began, and March 11. These include 13 attack reports and four reports of suspicious activity.

Meanwhile, U.S. forces sank or damaged several Iranian ships, since the launch of the Operation Epic Fury on February 28, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

“U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz,” U.S. Central Command said in a post on X Tuesday.

US president Trump on Tuesday threatened to escalate U.S. attacks on Iran if it has put mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, made the threat but also indicated that the U.S. doesn’t have evidence of such activity.

“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!,” Trump wrote.

“If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!” he said.

“Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait. They will be dealt with quickly and violently,” the president continued.

Minutes later, Trump said in another post that the U.S. forces destroyed 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow.