Members of Thai rescue team search for missing passengers from the capsized boat in the accident area in Phuket, Thailand, July 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Qin Qing)
(ECNS) -- Hangzhou Customs is offering expedited clearance services for experts and rescuers involved in helping tourists affected by a boat accident in Thailand, according to the General Administration of Customs.
Hangzhou Customs immediately activated an emergency plan after learning about the accident in waters off Phuket Island on July 5, which affected tourists from Zhejiang Province, offering 24-hour emergency clearance services for outbound rescuers and returned tourists.
On the evening of July 6, customs at Xiaoshan Airport helped members of the Ram Union Association, who were carrying heavy diving rescue equipment, to quickly pass border checks and board a plane to Thailand.
The airport also offered a green channel option for rescue experts from the Second Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration.
Then on the afternoon of July 8, customs officials opened a fast channel to allow six surviving tourists from the accident to clear customs at Xiaoshan Airport.
From July 6 to 8, Hangzhou Customs provided faster entry and exit clearance to 14 people related to the boat accident.
Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong said on Monday that after joint checks with Chinese officials there were a total of 89 passengers, of which 87 were Chinese, on the capsized boat "Phoenix.”
