33 Chinese tourists, two Thai guides and three crew members have been rescued after their catamaran began to take on water and sink in the seas off Phuket today.
The incident happened as the vessel was taking a group of tourists on a day trip from Phuket to Racha Island. Water started to leak in when it was about 1.67 nautical miles from Racha Island.
The crew of the ill-fated catamaran broadcast an SOS message to the rescue centre in Phuket, which immediately alerted other vessels in the area and rescue teams to rush to their assistance.
All the people on board were safely rescued before the vessel sank.
The Chinese consular office in Phuket has been informed that all the Chinese nationals on board are safe.
