BANGKOK, Dec 19 (NNN-TNA) – Thai warships and helicopters work, to rescue 31 missing sailors, after a navy ship sank in the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) said, today.
A total of 106 crew were on board the corvette HTMS Sukhothai, which sank during a storm. By noon today, 75 of them had been brought to safety, according to the RTN statement.
The HTMS Sukhothai sank at around 00:12 a.m. local time Monday (1712 GMT Sunday), following a loss of power and consequently flooding of the ship, RTN spokesperson, Admiral Pokkrong Monthatpalin, said.
The warship was on patrol 20 nautical miles from the port, in Bang Saphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, when strong waves caused water to enter the electrical systems, which resulted in a loss of power and control of the ship.
RTN dispatched three frigates and two helicopters, with rescue equipment, to the scene, but strong winds and waves prevented rescue efforts, according to the statement.– NNN-TNA
