CHIANG SAEN, Thailand - Family members of the Chinese sailors killed or missing in the attack on two cargo ships on Mekong River in northern Thailand last week have left Thailand for home, official said Friday.

"The family members are boarding a ferry to cross Mekong River for the neighboring  Laos, through which they will return to China, " said Shi Minghui, head of a team of officials dispatched by Yunnan provincial government to deal with problems arising from the attack.

On October 5, a group of unidentified gunmen attacked two ships on Mekong River, killing 12 Chinese sailors. Another Chinese sailor remains missing.

The 29 family members arrived in Chiang Saen district of northern Qiang Rai province Thursday night to mourn for the victims and conduct DNA tests to verify the identities of the bodies.