Search Continues for Missing Crew After Cargo Ship Capsizes Off Thailand

This image posted by the Royal Thai Navy shows the capsized MV Hope.

As many as eleven crew members of a Bangladeshi cargo ship went missing Thursday after their vessel capsized off the coast of Phuket in southern Thailand, Thai officials have confirmed according to local media.

The ship, the MV Hope, was enroute to the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh when it reportedly capsized early Thursday in adverse weather conditions about 32 kilometers from Phuket’s coast, AFP reports.

Six crewmembers were rescued by another ship and a navy helicopter, but fears were mounting for 11 still missing after a search Thursday, hampered by poor visibility, failed to locate the remaining crew. The Royal Thai navy said the missing were in a lifeboat which was set adrift by the high seas, the AFP report says.

Bangladesh’s Dhaka Tribune reported Friday that three more were rescued alive, bringing total number of survivors to nine. The report says that three bodies have been recovered and six remain missing.

There were 17 on board the ship when it capsized.

A search continued Friday lead by the Royal Thai Navy.

The MV Hope is owned by QC Shipping of Bangladesh.

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