A prayer service was held along the Kings River in Central California for two students after rescuers recovered their bodies one month after a car swerved into raging waters, reported the Fresno Bee.
Authorities said the rushing high waters and inclement weather made it impossible for them to get to the bodies sooner. The delay caused an uproar in Thailand where officials urged American rescuers to move quicker.
“It’s taken much longer than anticipated, and we are hoping for a quick and safe recovery of the students,” Tanee Sangrat, consul general of the Thai consulate in Los Angeles, said right before the rescue.
The victims are believed to be Thiwadee Saengsuriyarit, 24, and Bhakapon Chairattanasongporn, 28, of the University of South Florida. The coroner, however, has yet to positively identify the bodies.
According to the Nation Multimedia, families of both victims as well as a monk were on hand when the bodies were recovered.
A second car further down the river is believe to be that of missing Chinese couple, Yinan Wang, 31, and his wife, Jie “Rebecca” Song, 30. Rescuers say the water level must decrease before they can attempt to get to the victims.
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