Searches go on for 51 people missing after boats capsized off Phuket

PHUKET, July 6 (TNA) – More than 100 people fell victims to the boat incidents off Ko He and Ko Mai Ton yesterday. 51 people went missing and rescuers had tried to search for them throughout last night. Phuket governor Noraphat Plodthong said 51 tourists were missing. They boarded the Phoenix diving boat and had yet to be identified. Forty-two tourists who traveled on the Serenetta yacht and a Russian couple were rescued and brought ashore last night. The incidents saw 105 victims. Fifty-three of them were saved and 13 tourists died. RAdm Charoenphol Khumrasee, deputy commander of the Third Fleet said HTMS Hua Hin, HTMS Tor 992 and HTMS Tor 232 were deployed for the search and rescue mission last night. This morning HTMS Long Lom was deployed as it was capable of locating the diving boat which was later found about seven kilometers off Ko He and about 40 meters deep. The Third Fleet sent about 10 divers to find missing people believed to be trapped in the boat. It also deployed a helicopter to support the mission. (TNA)