41 drowned, 15 missing in Phuket accidents

PHUKET, July 7 (TNA) -- A total of 41 persons were now found drowned and 15 others were still missing, two days after two tourist boats and a jet ski capsized in rough seas off the southern coastal province of Phuket, according to official statistics. Concerned officials including Phuket governor Norapat Plodthong, Royal Thai Navy commander-in-Chief Admiral Narit Pathumsuwan and Chinese ambassador to Thailand Lyo Jian attended a meeting, aimed at finding ways to assist capsize victims, early Saturday in Phuket. Governor Norapat said so far 833 personnel from 26 government agencies have been dispatched to help the capsize victims while seven working committee set up to smoothen the work. Information concerning the accident must be issued by the centre only, said Mr Norapat. Chinese ambassador Lyo, meanwhile, commended the Thai government for its efforts to rescue survival from the accidents and requested Thai officials to find out the actual cause of the Thursday’s tragedy. Mr Lyo also requested for Chinese interpreters to help Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. (TNA)