Thailand: Last body of Phuket boat accident found

Thai authorities have recovered the last body from the boat accident off the southern resort island of Phuket, raising the death toll to 47.
Thailand: Last body of Phuket boat accident found ảnh 1 Search and rescue forces off the island (Source: VNA) 
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai authorities have recovered the last body from the boat accidentoff the southern resort island of Phuket, raising the death toll to 47.

The Phoenix was carrying105 people, mostly Chinese tourists, when it sank in Koh Hei on July 5 on theway back to Phuket from Koh Racha, a popular snorkeling spot.

Phuket's Departmentof Public Relations said in a statement on July 15 that the last body from thePhoenix boat accident was recovered after over a week of searching.

An initial reportshowed that the boat was registered and not overloaded. Bad weather conditionswere said to be the reason behind the accident, despite the vessel knowing thisprior to setting off.

The accident was oneof the worst in Thailand since 2004 when the tsunami drowned thousands ofpeople.

Many divers andhelicopters were mobilised to seek victims trapped inside the boat. Relativesof the victims have been in Phuket to help identify the bodies.

A ceremony was heldwith the participation of the Chinese Ambassador to Thailand to pay tribute tothe victims.

The Thai Ministry ofTourism released a statement saying that each of the victims’ families were toreceive compensation of 1 million THB (over 30,000 USD).-VNA
VNA

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