UPDATE: Phi Phi boat explosion
Authorities have been visiting injured passengers and staff of ‘King Poseidon’ in Phuket and Krabi while a meeting regarding the accident will be held today (January 15) chaired by Phuket’s Governor as well as an investigation at the accident scene by Krabi authorities.
The ‘King Poseidon’ was a 3-engine speed boat with 28 year old Kriengkrai Boonsri as the captain. It left the Thai Morning Sun Pier in Rassada at 9.30 am yesterday (January 14). There were 31 people on board, 4 of them were Thai crew, one of them was a Chinese tour leader and 26 of them were Chinese passengers including 3 children. The injured were sent to different hospitals in Krabi and Phuket.
The captain and two Chinese passengers, 61 year old Aou Jia and 24 year old Zui Zing were sent to Krabi Hospital and Krabi Nakarin International Hospital.
Chief of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, Supot Limlom, says that the boat has sunk after the incident and the team from the national park office have attached some buoys to the wreckage to warn the boats passing the area. The boat will be salvaged as part of the investigation.
There were also 4 other injuries sent to Phuket including 3 Chinese passengers; 63 year old Li Meihua, 27 year old Kwang Tei Hong and 26 year old Ganli Xia, who were sent to Bangkok Hospital and 45 year old Prayad Saengwiman, a boat staff member, was sent to the Phuket OrBorJor Hospital.
At about 6 pm the rest of the passengers, who suffered from minor to moderate injuries, were transported to Bangkok Hospital and Vachira Hospital.
The Vice Governor,Prakob Wongmaneerungroja, and Muang Phuket District Office Chief, Sub Lieutenant Wikrom Jaktee, along with authorities and the representative of the boat company, Apple Tour, were standing by the Bangkok Hospital to assist the injured passengers.
“We will fully cover the medical costs with the maximum amount of 500,000 Baht and 1 million Baht in case of any casualties,” said the representative of the tour company and Siam City Insurance.
“We still don’t know the real cause of the explosion but the boat staff say that there was a spark and oil leak on the boat starting just before the fire and explosion. However, we have to wait for a full police investigation.”
Meanwhile, Phuket’s Governor, Norapat Plodthong visited one injured passenger at Vachira Hospital and 7 injured Bangkok Hospital at 7 pm last night.
“The injuries are mainly burns. They are being carefully supervised by the surgeons of Bangkok Hospital. We will contact the Chinese Consul in Phuket about the accident and tomorrow (Monday), we will hold a meeting about the incident to discuss better safety and the help we can provide for the injured tourists,” said the Governor.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Bangkok Hospital, Doctor Lalita Kongseeha, said that one of the passengers sent to the hospital can already go home while 3 of them have burn wounds and need to stay at the hospital for at least one week with intensive care from specialists. According to the doctor, one of them has burns on 22% of his body and another one, 33% of their body.
Also last night, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Weerasak Kowsurat, headed to Krabi to visit 2 injured passengers who staying in the Krabi Nakarin International Hospital and the boat captain who is in ICU at Krabi Hospital.
“I was very worried when I heard about the news. I canceled all my appointments and rushed to Krabi. The passengers suffered from Category 2 burns on 30% to 50% of their bodies. They are now in a sterile environment and closely taken care of by the medical team.
“The investigation needs more information from the captain, who will remain in ICU awaiting further recovery. The Krabi Forensic Police and Marine Officers are visiting the scene to further investigate the causes of the explosion.”
Read the original story HERE.
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