Update – Rescue operation for missing Filipino tourists hindered by bad weather
The search and rescue operation for the missing Filipino tourists near Phuket’s Freedom Beach had to be suspended due to heavy rain and high seas, said Mr. Apichet Yim-on, head of the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation to Thai PBS this morning.
Read: Two Filipino men missing in Phuket seas
The two men were named as Angelo Bien Rafael Cortez, 29, and Noah Ibay, 40.
Dozens of rescue workers and divers from the Marine Police and Phuket Lifeguard Club gathered to help in the search. However, the bad weather made them resort to patrolling the coast.
Apichet said that two Thai fishermen also fell into the sea off the same beach. One made it back to shore while the other remains missing.
The beach is not currently open to the public, according to the rescue workers.
One member of the group of 12 Filipino tourists reportedly visited the beach last year. Impressed with its beauty he recommended it to his friends. They asked their van driver to take them halfway and used GPS to guide them down to the beach, the report said.
Apichet said that rescue workers and authorities will evaluate the weather conditions by the hour and will make all efforts to find them, the report added.
Source: Thai PBS
Photo: Tiew Prasa Gu Facebook page
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