108 people were safely evacuated from the nighttime ferry blaze in Thailand

Thursday, April 4, 2024

A harrowing incident off the coast of Thailand saw passengers forced to jump into the sea from a night ferry ablaze, as it neared the tourist haven of Koh Tao. Originating from Surat Thani province, the vessel was close to its destination when a passenger detected the alarming sound of crackling followed by the scent of smoke. According to Maitree Promjampa’s account to the Associated Press, it was mere minutes before smoke and fire engulfed the ferry, prompting panic and urgent cries for help among the passengers, who struggled to secure life vests amidst the chaos and tears.

Remarkably, the collective effort of those on board and the quick response from surrounding vessels led to the successful evacuation of all 108 individuals on the ferry, including 97 passengers, with officials confirming their safety on social media. Visuals from the scene depicted large volumes of black smoke rising from the ferry, which had cars and families with young children on it, highlighting the urgent rescue efforts by several boats.

Eyewitnesses captured the frantic moments of passengers evacuating the ferry’s cabin, donning life jackets while navigating through thick, black smoke as the vessel was consumed by flames. The efficient rescue operation ensured that there were no casualties, a testament to the swift action taken by all involved in the emergency response.

[Image Source: Sky News]

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