Rescue workers and emergency crews at Phuket International Airport continue to search the wreckage for survivors, but as time passes, the likelihood of finding any more survivors dwindles.

Exact numbers are difficult to obtain as the authorities work frantically to assist with rescue attempts. It is thought that over 60 bodies have been recovered and more are expected.

Of the survivors, approximately 30 (mainly foreigners) have been taken to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, while four foreigners and three Thais have been taken to Phuket International Hospital and two Thais are at Wachira Hospital. A number of survivors are in ICU and are thought to be in critical condition.

There are conflicting reports about the nature of the accident. Some say the plan crashed onto the runway and slid off and burst into flames, while others say the plane hit the runway hard on landing and then slid off and burst into flames. As can be seen in many pictures in the Thai press and on local TV channels, the plan broke into two main compartments. The exact details and causes of the accident are unlikely to be known until the black box is recovered.

One survivor, while being interviewed on TV, commented that the fire came from the front, and those closest to the back had the best chance of escape through the rear fire exit. He himself told of how he jumped out of the rear exit and landed in water, with his wife, and was followed by approximately 10 other survivors who then waited for help from the emergency services.

The One-Two-Go Airlines jet was a scheduled flight which departed Bangkok's Don Muang Airport at 14:30 and was scheduled to arrive at 15:50. It is thought that the jet was attempting to land for the second time when the bad weather contributed to the crash.

On the ground, Phuket Post spoke to a passenger on a TG flight which touched down at Phuket International Airport just 30 minutes before the ill-fated One-Two-Go flight: ?There was a lot of turbulence all the way from Bangkok, but as we got closer to Phuket it got much worse. The clouds were so dark it felt almost like flying at night. It was only when we came out the bottom of the clouds, just before landing, did the turbulence stop. Thankfully our landing was smooth.?

Airport officials have announced the airport is now closed and will not be open again this evening for any flights.

In Bangkok at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports delays are building up. Speaking to the Phuket Post from Suvarnabhumi, one passenger said, ?I was on an early evening flight to Phuket and we were informed of the accident, but no details. I've now been told I will have to stay in Bangkok tonight and have been put on standby for a flight to Phuket tomorrow afternoon.?

Phuket receives a large number of flights each day carrying international tourists and residents to the island from many domestic and international destinations.

On a related note, on Thursday 6th September Phuket International Airport held a disaster drill in which an Airbus A300-600 simulated engine trouble upon landing. A full range of emergency services were involved in the drill and it was deemed a success.

A hotline has been set-up by One-Two-Go Airlines - dial 1126 from within Thailand.