96 Chinese sailors from 14 boats, who were stranded in northern Thailand following deadly attack on the cargo ships on the Mekong River two weeks ago, returned home safely by Tuesday morning, Chinese authorities said.

96 Chinese sailors from 14 boats, who were stranded in northern Thailand following deadly attack on the cargo ships on the Mekong River two weeks ago, arrived in Yunnan safely.

12 Chinese sailors were killed and one was missing in the gruesome attack on the Chiang Saen section of Mekong River.

Due to safety concerns, 164 people, including sailors and their family members, have been living aboard dozens of ships on Mekong River in Chiang Saen following the attack.

The ships escorted by a Chinese vessel with police aboard began their home journey last Friday morning and arrived at the Guanlei Port in the Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Xishuangbanna in the southwestern province of Yunnan Sunday afternoon.

The other 12 ships and 68 sailors will return to China soon, the maritime affairs authorities of Xishuangbanna said Tuesday.

Last Tuesday Chinese vice Foreign Minister Song Tao summoned diplomatic envoys from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar and urged their countries to intensify the investigation of the incident.

China also urged relevant countries to take effective measures to strengthen the protection of Chinese ships and sailors on the Mekong River and its relevant waters and to avoid such tragedy from happening again.

China will work with all sides to ensure the safe shipping along the Mekong River, Song said.