Phuket: UPDATE. What we know 2.15pm

Friday, 2.15pm

• 21 dead bodies have now been recovered from near Koh Maiton and just off the coast of Koh Keaw (east Phuket)

• Up to 35 remain missing (figure is continually being revised)

• A Chinese female tourist has been pulled out of the Andaman Sea, alive. She has been taken to Vachira Hospital in Phuket Town in an ‘OK’ condition

• The body of a dead Chinese tourist was recovered last last night. The person still had their life jacket on

• One of the bodies recovered around lunchtime today was that of a young Chinese boy

• Navy SEAL divers are still searching the wreck of the ‘Phoenix’

• ‘Phoenix’ was carrying 105 passengers and crew when it sank yesterday evening

• Two boats sank in yesterday’s storm

• 8 boats sought shelter at Koh Racha last night with up to 166 people on board

• The Captain of ‘Phoenix’ says waves were up to five metres high

• 6 boats with 136 passengers have returned to shore

• Boats set out to sea early Thursday morning with clear skies and a forecast that predicted winds up to 25 kph from the west

• ‘Freak’ storm hit the Andaman coast around 4.30pm last night with strong winds and waves

• Black-outs in many parts of Phuket last night