Phuket boat accident death toll climbs to 17, Thai officials say

The death toll in a boat accident off the coast of Phuket has climbed to 17, Thai authorities said Friday according to AP. Another 38 people are missing, according to the chief of Phuket's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Regional Center. At least 10 of those who died were Chinese tourists, the official added. Navy divers are scouring the wreckage of a boat that was carrying 105 people, including 93 tourists, 11 crew and one tour guide when it toppled in 5-meter-high seas on Thursday.