Helicopters have been deployed as Thai rescue workers continue to search for survivors after a boat carrying 93 tourists sank late last week.
The boat, which was carrying 105 people on board, including 93 Chinese tourists, capsized on Thursday due to rough seas off the coast of Phuket.
The ABC reports the Thai Government has put the official death toll at 41 with 15 still missing.
World: Tourist boats capsize off Thai resort island, leaving at least 33 dead https://t.co/MoI5biaHeD pic.twitter.com/D4ojKyovBI
— Pulse Ghana (@PulseGhana) July 7, 2018
One Marine Police Department official said there was probably “no chance” any of any more survivors being found.
Some reports indicate police have charged the owner and captain of the ship with carelessness causing death and injury.
Thailand is currently in the midst of its rainy season which often generates high wind and flash storms in coastal areas.
UPDATE: 7 bodies pulled from sea after Thai boat capsize, dozens more Chinese tourists still missing https://t.co/opXzZ5wrSG pic.twitter.com/cgTzBrYfyF
— ST Foreign Desk (@STForeignDesk) July 6, 2018
“Be careful … nature is not a joke,” Tourist Police bureau deputy chief, Major General Surachate Hakparn said on Facebook.
“The Tourist Police warned businesses in Phuket already to not take boats out from shore, but they violated this order by taking foreign tourists out.”
Another boat sailing in the area also capsized on Thursday, but all 35 tourists, crew and guides were rescued, according to the ABC.
SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING