Rescue operation after Thai navy ship sinks off the coast

More than 70 sailors have been rescued in the Gulf of Thailand after one of the country’s naval vessels was hit by strong winds.

The HTMS Sukhothai corvette was on patrol at sea 20 miles from the pier at Bangsaphan district in Prachuap Khiri Khan province when it struck bad weather.

The winds blew seawater onto the warship and knocked out its electrical system.

The Royal Thai Navy sent three frigates – HTMS Ang Thong HTMS Bhumibol HTMS Kraburi – and two helicopters with mobile pumping machines in an effort to remove the water.

But the strong winds made the mission impossible.

As more seawater flowed onto the ship, it started to sink.

In the early hours of Monday (UK time) the navy said 75 sailors had been rescued, with ships and helicopters searching for another 31 people still in the water.

Eleven people are currently being treated in hospital.

The navy published photos of a group of people wearing orange vests sitting in a black inflatable raft, with waves swelling around it in the darkness.

Sukhothai was built in the US and had been in use since 1987.

Thailand has been experiencing some extreme weather recently – the country’s northern and central parts are seeing their coldest temperatures of the year.

In the far south, there have been storms and floods, prompting warnings for ships to stay ashore.