Shifting of the vessel’s cargo caused the vessel to list heavily to starboard. Five of the crew managed to escape unharmed on a lifeboat, and were picked up by a German boxship; another was rescued via Thai Navy helicopter and is now in hospital. Helicopters and three naval vessels are still combing the sea south of Phuket in search of the remaining 11.
Meanwhile, the capsized vessel has drifted southwards to a position off the coast near Satun province. A Thai Navy officer said the warship RTNS Pattani, two patrol boats and two helicopters would continue to search during the daylight hours, but it is undecided whether it will continue after that.
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