BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday called for all-out search and rescue of Chinese nationals who remained missing after two boats capsized in Phuket, Thailand.
In an instruction made after the accidents, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassy and consulates to Thailand to take greater measures, and urged the Thai government and agencies to spare no efforts in search and rescue and to provide proper medical treatment for the injured.
Two boats with tourists on board capsized in waters near Phuket during rainstorms on Thursday evening. As of Friday evening, 16 of a total of 127 Chinese passengers were reported to have died, 33 were missing and 78 were rescued.
Xi asked authorities to warn travel agencies and travelers against risks and help them take precautions during summer holidays.
Stressing thorough search and rescue efforts, Premier Li Keqiang called on authorities to deal properly with the aftermath of the accidents, protect the rights and interests of Chinese nationals abroad and ensure their safety.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates to Thailand had activated the emergency response mechanism and are actively coordinating the search and rescue mission in Thailand, as well as the treatment of injured Chinese.
Ministries of foreign affairs, transport, and culture and tourism had sent a joint task force to Phuket.
