Cargo Vessel Sinks Off Thailand Coast

Sixteen sailors were rescued after a cargo ship sank off the southern coast of Thailand’s popular tourist island of Phuket on Sunday.

Authorities said the Panama-flagged vessel, Seloid Ark, ran aground on Saturday while en route from Malaysia to Bangladesh and sank approximately five kilometers from Phuket’s shoreline.

The ship was carrying around 300 containers, including 14 containing hazardous materials. An oil slick several kilometers long was also reported from the air, and rescue teams are working to contain the spill.

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island in Southeast Asia, is one of the country’s most visited destinations, attracting tourists from across the globe.