Police and rescue teams resumed search operations on Wednesday after a pontoon sank in the Chao Phraya River in Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province, leaving five people injured and one still unaccounted for.
Pol Lt Gen Trairong Piwpan, deputy inspector-general and spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said that the incident occurred shortly after noon on Tuesday opposite Soi Suksawat 84 on Sukwawat Road in tambon Pak Khong Bang Plakot.
After being alerted, Pol Col Photchanakon Kanchina, chief of Phra Samut Chedi police station, and Pol Lt Col Thanan Manuchantharat, inspector at Marine Police Station 3, led rescue and diving teams to search for the missing worker.
According to Pol Lt Gen Trairong, police were notified that a barge pontoon had sunk after being struck by the force of an excavator operating on board.
Investigations found that six workers were on the vessel at the time of the accident.
Rescuers were able to save five, who were subsequently taken to hospital with injuries. One worker remains missing.
Search efforts continued throughout Tuesday evening but were unsuccessful. Due to high waves and conditions on the Chao Phraya River, authorities suspended the operation at 7.52pm and resumed the search on Wednesday morning.
Of the five injured workers, two remain hospitalised, while three have since been discharged and returned home.
