Sinking Boat Dumps 37 Tourists In Sea

August 28, 2012

Rough weather and stormy waves capsized a tour boat carrying 37 tourists returning from Koh Kai and Koh Phi Phi islands in Phuket. None of the mostly Chinese tourists was injured. A passing tour boat helped take them to the shore.

KRABI – August 27, 2012 [PDN]; a report of a boat sinking near Koh Kai island was reported by the Phuket sea police to Pol. Maj. Prakarn Phukate, Inspector of Krabi sea police.

The police major coordinated with the Narenthorn rescue unit, Krabi province; and the officer of the harbor office, Krabi province; to mobilize forces with the inspection boat to assist the tourists.

The accident occurred approximately 5 sea miles south of Koh Phi Phi island, at Tambon Aownang, Amphur Muang, Krabi province.

At the scene, rescuers found many foreign tourists floating in the ocean waiting for assistance. A passing tour boat had also stopped to assist the tourists, and all of them survived.

Most of the tourists were Chinese and 13 of them were taken to rest at Koh Phi Phi, while the remainder were taken to Phuket beach.

The sunken boat, named Look Pradu, was a TOR ROR.26 size 3 engine. It was carrying 37 foreign tourists and a tour guide, along with three crewmembers.

The boat was traveling from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi and Koh Kai. At about 3 p.m., the boat started back for Phuket. However, the weather turned bad and the ocean became rough.

Large waves hitting the boat caused it to capsize and sink in the sea. Fortunately all the tourists were unharmed and were assisted to safety.