Seven missing after fishing boat sinks in Gulf of Thailand

At least seven people are missing after a fishing vessel sank in stormy waters in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand, Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper reports.

The fishing boat S. Kanchana Waree 888 sank at around 10 p.m. on September 21 after encountering severe weather, according to initial information. There were approximately 20 crew members on board.

Thirteen crew members have been rescued and taken to safety, while the search for the remaining seven continues.

Samae San patrol officers were alerted at around 8 a.m. on September 22 after receiving information from the vessel Hanuman Chaiwari 998 that the fishing boat had sunk. The incident occurred in an area in the open sea that takes around four to five hours to reach by boat from the coast of Samae San.

The search-and-rescue operation involves personnel from the Royal Thai Navy’s 1st Regional Command as well as fishing vessels. Rough seas and adverse weather conditions are hampering the operation.

The body of the fishing boat’s captain remains trapped inside the wreckage and has not yet been recovered, while authorities are continuing efforts to locate the missing crew members and identify any possible survivors.

By Sabina Mammadli