Dozens have been confirmed dead and dozens more are still missing after a pair of boats carrying tourists capsized off of Phuket, Thailand Thursday.
According to the New York Times, the vessels were overcome by waves as high as 16 feet after going out despite a severe weather warning.
One of the ships, the Phoenix PC Diving ship, was carrying 105 passengers, including 93 tourists—many of which were Chinese nationals—when it sank after leaving Koh Racha, a snorkeling hotspot.
The second vessel, the Serenita, sank off nearby Koh Mai Thon. All 42 people aboard the ship were rescued, the Times reported.
On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said two Chinese nationals have been confirmed dead, 47 others were missing and 78 Chinese nationals have been rescued. However, Lu warned of the numbers’ potential inaccuracy as search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
The Thai Prime Minister’s Office has promised officials “will exert all efforts to find those still missing and provide support to all survivors of this tragic event.” The ongoing search for survivors includes helicopters, ships and divers.
Phuket is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, resorts and numerous snorkeling and diving opportunities. Chinese nationals make up a significant portion of Thailand’s international visitors.
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