Phang Nga-
A diving tour boat caught fire early this morning near the coral headland of Khao Lak, prompting an emergency rescue operation that successfully evacuated all passengers and crew.
According to the Maritime Enforcement Command Center (MECC) Region 3, they received an emergency call at 4:15 A.M. via hotline 1465, reporting that a tourist diving boat had erupted in flames while positioned near a popular dive site.
There were 26 people aboard at the time, including 16 foreign tourists and 10 crew members. Rescue teams swiftly deployed transport vessels, including a local passenger boat, to ferry all those on board safely to shore at Tab Lamu Pier. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
MECC Region 3 coordinated with naval forces to contain the fire, dispatching patrol boat equipped with portable water pumps, as well as a response unit from the Royal Thai Navy vessel. The teams managed to limit the spread of the blaze; however, flames continued to rage in the passenger cabins, requiring additional reinforcements.
At approximately 11:28 AM, the Royal Thai Navy deployed with firefighting foam systems to extinguish the remaining flames. Despite efforts, the vessel succumbed to damage and ultimately sank into the sea. Authorities are now engaging relevant agencies to assess environmental impacts and determine necessary recovery measures.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, with maritime officials working to gather testimonies from survivors and crew members.
Developing story.
