Hanoi (VNA) – The tourist boat “Phoenix” which capsized off Thailand’s resort island of Phuket four days ago was carrying a total of 89 passengers, instead of 93 as stated in previous news, according to Thai authorities.
Phuket Governor Noraphat Plothong said on July 9 that after a joint check with the Chinese side, it was certain that four people did not board the boat.
He said that 42 people were confirmed dead, with all of them are Chinese, while 37 others were rescued.
Among the rest 10 people unaccounted for, five of them were confirmed to be alive and five were still missing. However, it was unclear whether those who were said to be alive were able to survive after the accident or they never boarded the boat.
The Phuket Governor said the authorities are working to verify those people’s identities. Some of them may have left the country.
Rescuers are preparing to lift the tourist boat, which was pummelled by huge waves on the way back to Phuket from the popular snorkeling spot of Koh Racha on July 5.
Divers and helicopters have joined the search for any survivors.
The Phoenix was among several boats that appeared to have ignored a severe weather warning to take tourists on day-trips to islands off Phuket.
It is one of the most severe incidents of Thailand’s tourism sector after the tsunami which claimed thousands lives in 2004.-VNA