Thai ferry fire: Authorities blaze into action saving all aboard (video)

The Thai authorities successfully rescued 97 passengers and 11 crew members after a fire broke out on an overnight ferry travelling from the mainland in the southern province of Surat Thani to Koh Tao.

ThaiRath reported that the fire started in the engine room of the Koh Charoen 2 ferry at around 6.30 am today, April 4, when the boat was about 4 to 6 kilometres away from Koh Tao.

The ferry was carrying goods and 108 people, including 97 Thai and foreign passengers, as well as 11 boat crew members. It departed from a pier in Surat Thani last night, around 11pm. The fire alert shocked and frightened passengers, leading some to flee the ferry by jumping into the sea.

The fire was reported to Koh Tao Police Station officers who coordinated authorities from the relevant departments until they managed to rescue all of 108 victims. Some suffered minor injuries, mostly from smoke inhalation.

Fire and smoke continued to envelop the bow of the ferry, prompting authorities to tow it to the pier on Koh Tao for extinguishing the blaze. Further investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

A similar fire incident was reported on a dive tour boat docked at Thap Lamu Pier in the southern province of Phang Nga on April 2. The entire boat was damaged and sank under the sea near the pier. Fortunately, no one was on the boat during the incident, and no injuries were reported.

Another ship fire occurred at Laem Thian Pier within the Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri province in March when the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ship HTMS Chon Buri accidentally fired at another naval ship, HTMS Khirirat. The shooting caused an explosion and fire that injured 14 sailors on the ship.

The accidental weapon discharge reportedly occurred due to authorities’ recklessness in following safety measures after the battleship training. Each affected sailor reportedly sustained only minor injuries. Authorities insisted that HTMS Khirirat did not sustain much damage as well.