Israeli girl missing after tour boat catches fire and sinks near Krabi
FILE PHOTO: Identical vessel to the one that caught and sank yesterday
A 12 year old Israeli girl remains missing from a tourist boat incident, whilst travelling to Phuket from Krabi. The boat caught fire and eventually sank yesterday afternoon (Monday) around 3.30pm. About 100 other foreign tourists were safely rescued. The ferry belongs to Ao Nang Travel Tour Company.
The boat, named Ao Nang Princess 5, was carrying the passengers from Nopparat Thara and Railay piers to Phuket. The boat’s skipper, Sommai Saichu, told Krabi police that five kilometres from Rai Lay beach he heard a loud explosion in the engine compartment and a fire broke out, engulfing the boat.
As the fire spread rapidly, he told all passengers to put on their life jackets (they should have been wearing them anyway) and move to the bow area of the vessel.
Some fishing vessels in the area rushed to the rescue and managed to pluck all the passengers and crew to safety, with the exception of a 12 year old Israeli girl. A search for the missing girl continues.
Police suspect that the girl was in the toilet, which was close to the engine room, when the explosion occurred. The boat was reported to have sunk at about 6 pm.
SOURCE: Thai PBS
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