Krabi Ferry Blaze

April 8, 201511 yr

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/522379/tourists-jump-into-sea-to-escape-ferry-fire-off-krabi

Tourists jump into sea to escape ferry fire off Krabi

8 Apr 2015 at 20:18 11,637 viewed3 comments

Photo from Jor Sor 100 twitter (@js100radio)

A 12-year-old Israeli girl is missing after the engine of a Phuket ferry exploded off Krabi and flames forced scores of Thai and foreign passengers to leap into the water Wednesday afternoon.

Pol Capt Sutthiwat Aunsiam, a duty officer at Muang Krabi station, told Jor Sor 100 radio late in the evening that rescue units are still searching for the girl who was reportedly in the toilet near the engine at the time.

Krabi Governor Songpol Sawasditham confirmed the girl’s disappearance, according to Thai Rath Online. He said more rescue staff and divers including personnel from Third Naval Area Command will join the search on Thursday for the missing girl.

Pol Capt Sutthiwat quoted Wirat Jittaraporn, the captain of the Ao Nang Princess 5 ferry with 104 passengers and crew onboard, as saying the vessel was about seven to eight kilometres from Railay beach near Ao Nang when he heard the explosion from the engine room.

He immediately ordered everyone to don life jackets and prepare to abandon ship. The fire quickly engulfed the ferry and burned it to the waterline before it sank off Krabi's Noppharat Thara beach.

A swift rescue effort from nearby fishing trawlers and pleasure craft saw all of those on board plucked safely from the sea. No injuries were reported.

The fire began in the engine room at the back of the 35-metre long and 4.5-metre wide ferry at 3.30pm when it was about eight kilometres off Noppharat Thara beach, Boonchao Tangsiripaisarn, director of Krabi’s Marine Office 5 told Jor Sor 100 traffic radio station.

About a dozen fishing trawlers, speed boats and rescue craft from police and marine authorities raced in at the first sign of trouble.

Passenger Panupon Rattanakornpanya, 44, told Thai Rath Online, that crew members told him and his wife and child that a fire had broken out and ordered everyone to gather at the bow.

“The fire then grew stronger. Everyone was in a panic. Some were crying. Many grabbed jackets and passed them on to others before we jumped into the water,” he said.

Mr Songpol said the ferry was equipped with fire extinguishers, "but in this case it appeared [the crew] were not able to control the blaze and this must be investigated again".

The sunken ferry was operated by Ao Nang Travel and Tour Co.

Edited April 8, 201511 yr by brutox

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