More than 30 people remain missing after the sinking of a Thai Navy ship

The HTMS Sukhothai, a corvette ship, began to sink shortly before midnight on Sunday after suffering a series of engine problems.

A Thai navy ship sank in the Gulf of Thailand and boats and helicopters joined efforts to rescue sailors in the water on Monday.

As of Monday morning, 75 sailors had been rescued and 31 were still in the water, the Navy said.

Strong winds blew seawater onto the deck of the HTMS Sukhothai corvette and affected its electrical system on Sunday night. The Royal Thai Navy sent three frigates and two helicopters equipped with mobile pumps to try to assist the vessel with saltwater removal, but they were unable to do much due to strong winds.

The loss of power allowed more salt water to enter the vessel, causing her to tip sideways and sink.

The incident occurred while the ship was on patrol 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the port in Bangsaphan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

While central and northern Thailand are registering their lowest temperatures of the year, storms and flooding have been reported in the south of the country in recent days. It was recommended that all ships remain berthed.

The 106 crew members on board had to urgently leave the ship, of which 73 were rescued by another Navy ship.

The Armed Forces published on social networks a video of the corvette sinking and photographs of the rescue of the crew, all dressed in life jackets and aboard an inflatable raft.

Among those rescued, three would have a serious prognosis, according to a statement from the Navy.

As for the soldiers who are still missing, it is assumed that they are afloat thanks to life jackets, according to the ‘Bangkok Post’ newspaper.

The authorities have indicated that the ship sank by storm water, suffered a blackout and the engine stopped working. Thus, she would have listed to starboard.

The capture shows the Sukhothai, built in the United States and in use since 1987, leaning to port among the strong waves, while another frame – taken with a night camera – shows the moment when the bow of the ship and a turret protrude above it. the waterline.

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