Phoenix Boat Recovered Off Thailand's Phuket 4 Months After Deadly Incident - Reports

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th November, 2018) The Phoenix dive boat that sank off Thailand's Phuket island in early July, leading to the death of 47 tourists, was recovered after spending over four months under water, local media reported citing police.

The Bangkok Post newspaper reported on Saturday that the vessel had been lying at the depth of 45 meters (147 feet), almost four kilometers off Ko He island, located to the southeast of Ra Wai beach, and its recovery would help determine the cause of the incident.

According to the outlet, the boat was lifted with the help of cranes and slings at around 5:00 p.

m. local time (10:00 GMT), and will be transported to a dock on Monday for further examination.

"The government is determined to get to the root cause of the incident," acting chief of the Thai police Immigration Bureau Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachate Hakparn said as quoted by the news outlet, adding that all those responsible for the tragedy would be brought to justice.

The Phoenix boat carrying a total of 105 people on board, mostly Chinese citizens, sank on July 5 after being caught in a heavy storm.