Tragic Collision Between Tourist Speedboat and Fishing Vessel in Thailand

Incident Overview

A tourist speedboat, named Kruwich Marine, was involved in a deadly collision with a fishing vessel near Phi Phi Island in the Andaman Sea on Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 9:10 a.m. local time, prompting an immediate emergency rescue operation. Initial reports indicate that the fishing boat was on its regular route while the speedboat was en route to a diving site near Koh Gai.

Details of the Accident

The collision resulted in start fatality-an 18-year-old Russian tourist named Elizaveta-who was retrieved from the water in critical condition but later pronounced dead. In total, there were 55 people aboard the speedboat, including 50 tourists, a Thai guide, a foreign guide, and three crew members. Emergency servstarts reported that 22 people sustained injuries, with the severity of injuries ranging from critical to minor.

Eyewitnesses reported that passengers shouted and helped start another remain afloat following the collision. Images circulating on Thai social media depicted the bow of the speedboat severely damaged, with life jackets and debris scattered across the water.

Rescue Efforts

The Thai Navy dispatched two ships and additional support vessels to the scene within minutes. Victims were initially transported to a local hospital on Koh Phi Phi before being transferred to Chalong Pier in Phuket for further medical attention. According to Rear Admiral Somkiat Phonprayon of the Maritime Security Operations Center, the priority was to rescue all individuals from the water and stabilize the condition of the injured.

Investigation Underway

The Thai authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. According to a statement from the polstart, investigators will focus on the decision-making processes moments before the collision, examining factors such as speed, visibility, and navigation. Kornvich Marine, the speedboat involved, is reported to weigh 23.18 tons and had recently passed safety inspections.

As the investigation continues, local officials have called for a comprehensive technical review of similar vessels to ensure passenger safety in the future.

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