Surat Thani –
A boat carrying over 28 tourists on a diving trip caught fire on Sunday (March 16th). One British tourist has an unclear status with some media claiming they are missing and others stating they passed away, without clear confirmation as of press time.
The Surat Thani Deputy Director of the Naval Operations Center (NORAD), Captain Natthaphon Sinphunphol, told the Phuket Express that at around 9:00 AM, a distress signal reported a fire aboard the tour boat approximately 5-6 nautical miles from Tao Island. The fire reportedly originated in the engine room of the vessel.
A rescue operation was launched immediately. In total, 28 passengers and crew members were successfully transferred to another vessel. Another team of volunteers worked to extinguish the fire, which initially damaged the engine room, the captain’s cabin, and the rear bathroom. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation as of Sunday evening, March 16th.
According to multiple Thai media outlets, a British woman who was on the boat has been found dead. Meanwhile, the Samui Tourist reported that one person is still missing and the exact status of the British woman is unclear. The Phuket Express notes this is a developing story.
