A speedboat in southern Thailand caught fire, leading to one person missing and five individuals sustaining injuries. The incident occurred at Ao Makham Bay in Phuket, where the vessel named Tequila was undergoing engine repairs. Emergency crews were seen battling the blaze as thick smoke billowed from the boat at Coco Pier around 10:30 am local time.
Workers and bystanders leaped into action, assisting in untying the boat and rescuing those onboard. Despite the efforts, a tour guide who was aiding in the rescue went missing. The authorities confirmed that no tourists were aboard the vessel, but the tour guide, identified as Mr. Wanadee, remained unaccounted for after the fire.
Five crew members suffered minor injuries and were promptly taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The injured individuals were named as Niwat Duangmani, Chutidet Arischa, Muhammad Husam Tiangnoi, Piyathida Pojin, and Komkrit Arunadet. The Phuket City Administrative Office reported the ongoing search for the missing 24-year-old man and mentioned that the fire was likely caused by a boat explosion.
Divers were deployed to search for the missing tour guide, and the area was cordoned off by officials. The fire incident occurred shortly before the expiration of the boat’s insurance policy. A similar fire incident had previously damaged over 20 speedboats at Chalong Pier in Phuket. Investigations revealed that the boats were fully fueled for transporting tourists to nearby islands, resulting in significant damages to multiple vessels.
The boat owner expressed the loss of three boats, each valued at around five million baht. Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the fire to prevent future incidents.
