A Thai-flagged cargo vessel caught fire after being attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, shortly after departing from a port in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Royal Thai Navy. Twenty sailors have been rescued, while three remain missing.

The vessel, Mayuree Naree, a bulk carrier owned by the Thai company Precious Shipping Pcl, had left Khalifa Port in the UAE and was heading to Kandla Port in India when it came under attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Photos released by the Royal Thai Navy showed thick black smoke rising from the ship’s hull and superstructure, with life rafts floating in the surrounding waters.

In a statement, the Royal Thai Navy said that “the specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation.” No group has claimed responsibility so far.

The statement added that the Omani navy rescued 20 sailors, and “efforts are currently underway to locate and rescue the remaining three crew members.”

Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported that three commercial ships were attacked in the Gulf on Tuesday. It is not yet clear whether the Mayuree Naree was one of them.

According to the Royal Thai Navy, the ship is 178 metres long and has a displacement of about 30,000 tonnes.

The attack comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Israel, backed by US military forces, launched strikes against Iran on 28 February. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Tel Aviv and Middle Eastern countries hosting American military bases, and has repeatedly threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical waterways for global energy supply.