- Thai military helicopters, planes, and ships are searching for dozens of missing sailors.
- A navy ship sank in the Gulf of Thailand.
- 75 sailors had been rescued and 31 were still missing.
Thai military helicopters, planes, and ships are searching for dozens of missing sailors after a navy ship sank in the Gulf of Thailand.
According to the Royal Thai Navy, the HTMS Sukhothai sank late Sunday night with 106 people aboard.
By Monday morning, 75 sailors had been rescued and 31 were still missing. The Bangkok Post reported that three survivors were “seriously injured.”
According to the Bangkok Post, the HTMS Sukhothai took on seawater after strong waves tilted it. The 1987-built corvette also lost power.
Sunday at 11:30pm local (16:30 GMT), the ship sank.
The Thai navy sent three frigates and two helicopters with mobile pumping machines to assist the disabled ship, but the rescue efforts failed due to strong winds.
A navy photo showed the ship on its side, and a scanner image showed its bow and gun turret above the waterline as it sank.
The 31 missing sailors are believed to be afloat in the stormy sea, wearing life jackets.
The incident occurred 32km (20 miles) from Bangsaphan district in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Northern and central Thailand are experiencing their coldest temperatures of the year, but the south has seen storms and flooding.
Inclement weather forced ships ashore.
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