Phuket: 1 dead, dozens missing after boat capsizes

Phuket [Thailand], July 06 (ANI): At least one man was dead and scores of Chinese tourists went missing after a boat capsized off the popular southern island resort of Phuket in Thailand.

The boat, the Phoenix, was carrying 105 passengers in the Andaman Sea. It was hit by massive waves which prompted it to keel over, South China Morning Post reported.

The search-and-rescue operation resumed on Friday morning, with helicopters dispatched to the area.

At least 49 people are still missing, said Phuket Governor Noraphat Plothong.

The Thai Navy, marine police and local fisherman are cooperating in the search and rescue efforts.

"We will conduct air searches and send divers to check inside the sunken Phoenix boat," the report quoted Noraphat, as saying.

Meanwhile, two other separate boat capsizes were reported in the same area on Thursday evening.

According to the reports, a yacht called the Senerita carrying 39 Chinese and Western tourists also capsized in the high seas. All of those passengers in both cases were pulled from the sea alive. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI