Rescue workers on Sunday searched for survivors after a flash flood killed at least 35 tourists who were cooling off in two waterfalls in southern Thailand.
Authorities resumed the hunt at dawn after a torrent of water poured over the waterfalls Saturday afternoon in Trang, a seaside province 700 kilometres (440 miles) south of Bangkok.
The tragedy occurred as the country was celebrating the Buddhist New Year.
"Seven more dead bodies were brought to hospital this morning, bringing the death toll up to 35," said Sinchai Rongdej, the hospital director at Yantakhao district where the waterfalls are located.
Fifteen of the dead were children, he added.
Anxious and tearful relatives gathered by the waterfalls, as police divers and rescue workers in life jackets scoured the river for survivors or victims of the flash flood, which police said was caused by heavy rain.
"We are still searching in the hope of finding survivors -- we do have hope left," said Yantakhao police chief Colonel Sonthichai Awatanakulthep.
More than 100 people were swimming in the waters when the torrents struck Sairung and Prai Sawan waterfalls, which are about five kilometres apart and whose names translate as 'rainbow' and 'heavenly jungle'.
They are popular tourist spots in picturesque forest and were particularly crowded because of the five-day Songkran holiday weekend celebrating Buddhist New Year, when Thais traditionally head home or into the countryside for some of the hottest days of the year.
Trang police chief Major General Kajorn Siriwan said about 10 holidaymakers were still missing.
"We rescued more than 100 tourists yesterday (Saturday) so the number left is not likely to be high," said Kajorn.
"Some 200 people including police, provincial officials and rescue workers are trying to find about 10 missing people," he added.
Thirty-four of the confirmed dead were Thai, Sinchai said, while one of the victims was a Laos national.
He said that 17 women, three men, 10 boys and five girls were killed when the powerful water knocked them over.
"More than 90 percent of the dead were hit by rocks after they fell in the force of the flash flood," he added. "Almost all of them had wounds on their heads and their faces."
About 20 people were injured in the flood, he said, with one remaining in hospital for treatment.
Some distraught relatives gathered at Yantakhao Hospital where authorities posted lists of the dead, while others preferred to wait in hope at the scene of the tragedy.
Flash Floods
They actually had some home video footage on CNN this morning showing a group of about 10 people stranded on a large falt rock in the middle of the stream as the torrent rushed past them on either side. Shades of the tsunami footage for sure. I think the total is 37, all recovered and all identified.
At the same time, they showed the weather satellite and there is some mean stuff swooping up into Thailand from the sea off of Burma, almost looks like the southwest monsoon has started. What I saw covers/is heading for HH also so you nay get some weather there today. It doesn't make it as far as Bangkok or Pattaya. Pete
At the same time, they showed the weather satellite and there is some mean stuff swooping up into Thailand from the sea off of Burma, almost looks like the southwest monsoon has started. What I saw covers/is heading for HH also so you nay get some weather there today. It doesn't make it as far as Bangkok or Pattaya. Pete