Big hunt for 33 crewmembers of sunk navy corvette

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

NAVY SHIPS AND PERSONNEL are currently conducting a search and rescue mission for 33 crewmembers of a navy corvette believed to be struggling to survive in the sea after their boat capsized and sank in the Gulf of Thailand last night, a navy source said today (Dec.19).

The 33 crewmembers of HTMS 442 Sukhothai were believed to have been floating in the sea about 19 nautical miles off the southern province of Prachuap Khiri Khan after strong winds and high tides had overturned the corvette which finally sank to the bottom of the sea.

Of a total of 106 crewmembers of the sunk corvette, 73 were reported to have been rescued to safety by navy ships and other vessels since the wee hours of today, the navy source said.

HTMS 442 Sukhothai, the Rattanakosin-class corvette built by US-based Tacoma Boat, has been deployed since 1987.

HTMS 791 Ang Thong and HTMS 457 Kraburi have joined the navy’s search and rescue mission, among others, for the missing crewmembers.

CAPTION:

Top: HTMS 442 Sukhothai that sank in the Gulf of Thailand last night. Photo: Matichon

Below and Front Page: Rescued crewmembers being helped as they reached the shore. Photos: Thai Rath

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