A SPEEDBOAT carrying 73 foreign tourists and a crew of four capsized while sailing from Lipe island off Satun to Lanta island off Krabi today (Dec. 24) but all were safely rescued, Matichon newspaper said this evening.
At 10.10 a.m. officials were notified that the speedboat, Bundhaya 19, sank near Bu Bu island, close to Lek island off Satun, and the Thai navy immediately sent a rigid hull inflatable boat with six officers to help them.
The captain of the speedboat, which capsized after strong waves punctured a hole in the underside, had managed to get it close to Lek island where tourists floated as they waited for help.
Soon another speedboat, Ploy Siam 559, rescued all 73 tourists, 70 adults and three children, along with the four crew members while a third speedboat, Fazia Hana 9, offloaded their luggage, and all were safely taken to their destination Lanta island.
However some did suffer minor injuries from the capsizing of the speedboat which later sank in front of Bu Bu island.
CAPTION:
Tourists floating in the sea waiting to be rescued today, Dec. 24, 2023. Photos: Matichon
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