Chinese nationals aided after Thailand ferry sinks

BEIJING - The Chinese embassy in Thailand provided aid to Chinese nationals after a ferry sank in Thailand on Sunday, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

A tour boat capsized and sank near Thailand's popular seaside town of Pattaya on Sunday, killing six people. One tourist from China's Hong Kong died in the accident, and one tourist from Hong Kong and another from Guangdong Province were injured.

Spokesman Hong Lei said on Monday after the daily press briefing that the Chinese embassy in Thailand immediately launched an emergency working mechanism and confirmed the information of the Chinese nationals with the Thai side.

The embassy expressed the concern of the Chinese side and urged Thailand to make an all-out rescue effort, he said, adding that consular officers were sent to the site to provide assistance to Chinese citizens in handling the aftermath.

The embassy will continue to follow the development of rescue work, he said.