Police recover body of Israeli girl, ferry fire victim Shani,12

PHUKET: The Krabi Marine Police have confirmed that they have recovered the body of Israeli girl, Sani Manil, 12.

Shani was the sole victim in the fire that gutted and sank the Ao Nang Princess 5 ferry while en route from Krabi to Phuket on Wednesday (click here).

Rescue workers recovered the girl’s remains from the sunken wreck at about 11am yesterday, said Maj Anurak Parinyasathiragul of the Krabi Marine Police.

“The Israeli Embassy in Bangkok has been notified,” he said.

Shani’s parents, and their other two children, returned to Israel yesterday morning, Maj Anurak told the Phuket Gazette.

“They are deeply saddened by this incident,” he said.

Officers from the Krabi Marine Police, the Krabi Provincial Office and the Krabi Marine Office began the search at 8am.

Shani was separated from her parents when the Ao Nang Princess 5 caught fire and sank.

Her parents had brought her to Thailand for a holiday to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.

The ferry was reported as carrying 115 passengers – comprising 107 adults and eight children – when the fire broke out.

There were three crew on board.

All other passengers are reportedly safe on Phuket.

— Chutharat Plerin