Breaking News: Fourth survivor of sunken barge rescued

PHUKET: A fourth survivor from a barge that sank between Koh Racha Yai and Koh Phi Phi on Tuesday was found this morning by locals on Koh Ngai, southeast of Phuket.

A naval rescue team is en route to the island in Trang province.

The survivor, Myanmar national named only as Thar Hliang, 46,* is said by locals at the scene to be very weak and in critical condition, confirmed the Navy to the Phuket Gazette.

“We will have to assess his condition ourselves when we arrive and decide whether or not he is strong enough to be transported to the mainland for medical attention,” said Capt Puttiporn Sawatsut of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command.

Krabi Marine Police Chief Anurak Parinyasathiragul told the Gazette this morning that Mr Thar was brought to the island on board a transport ship for Koh Ngai Villa, after the crew saw him floating in the water.

Three of Mr Thar’s fellow crew members were rescued from the sea off Koh Lanta on Wednesday and early yesterday morning (story here).

The 30-meter barge Sintu Phuket 1 was transporting construction materials and a backhoe from Ao Makham to Koh Racha Yai when it sank in heavy seas at about 3:55am on Tuesday, leaving six people missing (story here).

Searches by air and sea for the other two crew are ongoing.

*Mr Thar was originally reported as being named Mr Talai, at age 49.

— Chutharat Plerin