Dec. 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Thai Navy has raised the death toll to 21 on Tuesday after a frigate sank more than ten days ago due to a storm off the coast of Pachuap Jiri Jan, in the Gulf of Thailand.
As confirmed by the Navy spokesman, Pokkrong Monthatpalin, the rescue services have recovered two lifeless bodies in the last 24 hours. Both corpses will undergo an autopsy to determine their identity.
Of the 105 crew members on board the ship, 76 have been rescued, another 21 lifeless bodies have been recovered and another eight sailors are still missing today, as reported by the local newspaper ‘Bangkok Post’.
The ship left the Sattahip naval base on December 18 for patrol duties and was heading to Hat Sai Ree in Chumphon province to attend a ceremony when it was caught in a heavy storm.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan Ocha on Monday ordered the Navy to go ahead with rescue operations until the whereabouts of all the missing sailors are found.
