Thai navy ship capsizes, at least 33 sailors go missing
Bangkok, Dec 19 (EFE).- At least 33 sailors went missing after a Thai naval ship sank during a storm in the Gulf of Thailand, prompting a large search and rescue operation, the navy said on Monday.
The navy has deployed ships, aircraft, and helicopters to locate some crew members believed to be adrift in an emergency boat on the rough seas.
After some engine problems, the HTMS Sukhothai sank just before midnight on Sunday.
The corvette was battered by a storm, and the loss of power due to an electrical breakdown caused seawater to enter the vessel.
The ship patrolled around 37 kilometers (20 miles) east of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Some 106 crew members were on board who had to leave the ship urgently. Seventy-three were rescued by another navy vessel.
The navy posted on social networks a video of the corvette sinking and photographs of the rescued crew, all dressed in life jackets and aboard an inflatable raft.
The pictures showed the ship, built in the United States and sailing since 1987, leaning onto its starboard side and battling strong waves.
Rescue ships are seen looking for survivors in the choppy waters.
Another picture taken with a night vision camera showed the bow of the ship and a gun turret protruding out above the waterline as the vessel went down. EFE
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