ID :
49836
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 11:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/49836
The shortlink copeid
Body of missing tourist found in Andaman Sea
PHUKET, March 10 (TNA) - The body of a woman believed to be one of seven passengers missing after the sinking of a commuter boat Sunday night was located Tuesday morning by a Thai Navy helicopter, two days after the boat capsized during a heavy storm in the Andaman Sea, according to a senior official.
The commuter boat 'Choke Somboon 19', ferrying some 30 Thai and foreigners from the Similan Islands to Phuket’s Patong Beach, capsized during the night in high seas, heavy rain and strong wind.
Twenty-three passengers were rescued, but seven people-- two Swiss, two Australians, one Japanese one German and a Thai crew member--were still missing.
Rear Admiral Amornchote Suchirat, Phuket's deputy director for security, said the Navy helicopter found a body of what appeared to be a female foreigner floating face down in the sea, about 23 kilometres distant from the location where the sinking is thought to have occurred Sunday night.
A navy vessel has been dispatched to the scene to retrieve the body for identification.
Meanwhile, Pol. Col. Anan Huangsaithong, Region 8 Marine Police superintendent, told reporters before a meeting with the governor of Phuket and all agencies assigned to the emergency that the search and rescue operation continues and that the marine police are searching for those still missing.
In looking for the sunken craft an oil slick has been found in an area estimated to be 70 metres below the sea. (TNA)
The commuter boat 'Choke Somboon 19', ferrying some 30 Thai and foreigners from the Similan Islands to Phuket’s Patong Beach, capsized during the night in high seas, heavy rain and strong wind.
Twenty-three passengers were rescued, but seven people-- two Swiss, two Australians, one Japanese one German and a Thai crew member--were still missing.
Rear Admiral Amornchote Suchirat, Phuket's deputy director for security, said the Navy helicopter found a body of what appeared to be a female foreigner floating face down in the sea, about 23 kilometres distant from the location where the sinking is thought to have occurred Sunday night.
A navy vessel has been dispatched to the scene to retrieve the body for identification.
Meanwhile, Pol. Col. Anan Huangsaithong, Region 8 Marine Police superintendent, told reporters before a meeting with the governor of Phuket and all agencies assigned to the emergency that the search and rescue operation continues and that the marine police are searching for those still missing.
In looking for the sunken craft an oil slick has been found in an area estimated to be 70 metres below the sea. (TNA)
