Thai navy corvette sinks in the Gulf of Thailand, 31 missing

A corvette of the Royal Thai Navy sank during a storm on Sunday, December 18, while underway off the Coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan, the Gulf of Thailand, the navy confirmed.

The corvette is believed to have lost both engines and started taking on water causing it to lose stability and sink. The ship started listing on its side before capsizing around 23:30 local time.

Namely, HTMS Sukhothai, a Rattanakosin class corvette, was carrying 106 sailors at the time of the incident. A rescue mission involving ships, planes, and helicopters was launched immediately. A total of 78 sailors have been rescued from the water, while 31 remain missing, based on the latest updates. It is reported that all sailors were wearing life jackets and were in life rafts when the ship sank in choppy waters.

Three people of those pulled from the water have sustained serious injuries. There have been no fatalities reported.

The search and rescue operation remains underway. An investigation into the cause of the accident will follow suit.