The bodies of six sailors had been retrieved from the sea as of this morning, two days after a Thai navy ship capsized. Twenty-three others were still missing, according to the Royal Thai Navy.
After days of search and rescue operations, six sailors aboard the HTMS Sukhothai, a corvette designated FS-442, have been discovered and retrieved from the Gulf of Thailand, the Navy reported Wednesday morning.
The six sailors who were confirmed dead were Lt. Samart Kaewphaluek, Chief Petty Officer Atcha Kaewsuphan, Chief Petty Officer Amnart Pimtee, Petty Officer 1st Class Chakkrapong Poonpol, and Seaman Akkraradetch Phobat. One other sailor was still awaiting identification.
Seventy-six of its 106 crew complement have been rescued. The ship was on patrol in the gulf when it began taking on water Sunday due to rough seas. A power outage led to loss of control, and the ship sank overnight. Only one naval vessel arrived in response to the Sukhothai’s SOS before it sank. It rescued most of the crew.
Search and rescue operations are still underway by sea and air.
The ship foundered Sunday night about 2 nautical miles off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. It was en route to a commemorative event marking the 100th anniversary of the death of Prince Abhakara Kiartivongse, dubbed “The Father of the Thai Navy” for founding the Siamese Navy.
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