PHUKET, Nov 14 (TNA) – The salvage of the Phoenix tour
boat is expected to be completed in five days, over four months after the boat
sank off Phuket killing over 40 Chinese tourists, Thai police say.
The ill-fated ship that capsized in rough sea on July 5 is
lying 45 meters under the surface off the southwest coast of Phuket.
After several failed attempts, A new salvage team from
Singapore has begun the work since November 7 with over 100 workers trying to
lift up the 200-ton ship from the seabed.
Pol Maj General Surachet Hakpan, acting commander of the
Immigration Bureau, said with the advanced equipment and 1.2-ton crane the
salvage would be completed within five days.
After that police investigators would be able to conduct
forensic works on the tragic accident, he said.
Initial police report suggest that operator of tour boat did
not heed weather official warning.
Police are still trying to establish the cause of the accident that
could be mechanical failures of the boat.
Operators of previous attempts to salvage the Phoenix
claimed that strong currents obstructed the works.
