Three tourists and a guide sustained injuries on Tuesday morning while swimming close to a speedboat that burst into flames near Koh Mai Thon, off the Phuket coast.
Additionally, two crew members of the Thana Marine 555, including the boat’s captain, were also injured during the incident.
Following the explosion, emergency services swiftly transported all six injured individuals to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
The ill-fated journey began earlier that day when the boat, carrying 33 tourists along with their guide, left Tha Chalong pier.
The trip took a disastrous turn when, shortly after arriving at the island around 9 am, the boat’s engine began to malfunction. This mechanical issue quickly escalated as the engine caught fire and exploded, as confirmed by Nachaphong Pranit, director of the Phuket marine office.
At the moment the fire broke out, the captain and two crew members were on board the vessel. Meanwhile, some of the tourists were swimming nearby, unaware of the impending danger.
Both the captain and one crew member sustained burn injuries, while three tourists and the guide were wounded by shrapnel from the explosion that left the speedboat ablaze, according to Mr. Nachaphong.
Officials from the marine office were dispatched to conduct an investigation. The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre sent HTMS Hua Hin to aid in the response.
The Phuket provincial administration also deployed a fireboat and an additional speedboat with a crew to help extinguish the fire. The Thana Marine 555 was completely destroyed by the fire.
