PHUKET: Six crew members have remained missing, after a cargo ship capsized off Thailand’s southern resort Phuket Province before dawn on Tuesday, reports Thai News Agency (TNA).
The incident took place at around 3:45am, when the ill-fated cargo ship capsized about five nautical miles east of Racha Yai Island in the Andaman Sea off Phuket Province.
Police said rescue and the Royal Thai Navy personnel were searching for the six missing crewmen.
The local police were informed that the six crewmen used oil drums to float themselves, but the rescue and navy officers were forced to temporarily suspend the search at around 7am due to cloudy sky and rain.
The police said the ill-fated cargo ship was believed to have loaded construction materials from Phuket and destined for Racha Yai Island.
The police initially assumed that the cargo ship capsized after experiencing an engine problem amid choppy sea and high waves. – BERNAMA