Police and Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities are continuing the search for two more people after five others were rescued from a sinking boat located between Koh Rong Sanloem and Koh Thas on February 22.

Preah Sihanouk provincial police chief Chuon Narin said on Sunday the boat sunk at around 7am.

“The boat hit strong currents off Koh Thas, between Koh Rong Sanloem and a little beyond Koh Dek Koul. It was also at the mercy of the strong weather, he said.

“The boat had carried workers and equipment such as steel, weighing from one to two tonnes, for construction at Koh Rong Sanloem. The boat was sunk by huge waves and high winds. There were seven people on board.”

The emergency was reported by a worker on board the boat. In a joint effort, authorities in Sihanoukville and Koh Rong along with some private company security guards joined the operation to rescue them immediately.

The men who were rescued include Torn Pheakdey, 27, Tha Phearith, 23, Soeung Rotha, 27, and Ra Ran, 18. All were welders from Kandal province.

Khem Hov, a 36-year-old man, is the boat’s owner who currently lives in Commune III’s Village III in Preah Sihanouk province.

The police and authorities involved are still searching for Sorn Dam, 16, who is also a welder from Kandal province, and Un Mao, a 38-year-old crew member from Commune III’s Village III in Preah Sihanouk province.