A vast operation to save 30 sailors in the Gulf of Thailand, where a Royal Thai Navy corvette sank, continues on Tuesday after 76 elements were rescued, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The HTMS Sukhothai sank overnight on Sunday 32 kilometers off the coast of Bangsaphan (south), in the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan.
A sailor was found alive this morning, the Navy announced.
The rescue mission, which includes two military helicopters, two frigates and an amphibious ship, has so far recovered 76 crew members.
This Tuesday morning, around 9:00 a.m. (02:00 a.m. in Lisbon), a military ship, the HTMS Kraburi, resumed the search, with 176 people on board, including divers, AFP said.
“The search format remains the same, it is a joint operation with military helicopters,” Commander Kraiwit Kornraweeprapapapitch explained, adding that three other vessels were deployed.
On Sunday night, strong winds blew seawater onto the HTMS Sukhothai sloop and knocked out the electrical system. The Royal Thai Navy sent three frigates and two helicopters to try to assist the ship in removing water from the sea, which was not possible due to strong winds.
The loss of power allowed more seawater to enter the ship, causing it to sink.
While northern and central Thailand are experiencing the coldest temperatures of the year, southern Thailand has been experiencing storms and flooding in recent days. Ships were advised to remain anchored in ports.
Source: TSF
