12 rescued after Krabi longtail tour boat capsizes at sea
Ten Indian tourists, a guide and boat operator were rescued after a longtail tour boat capsized off Krabi, leaving seven people injured
Twelve people were rescued after a longtail tour boat capsized off Krabi on Saturday, leaving seven people injured, including one with a broken arm.
The boat overturned in the sea near Laem Hang Nak in Nong Thale subdistrict, Muang district, while carrying 10 Indian tourists, a guide and the boat operator.
The tourists comprised eight adults and two children.
The operations centre of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 was alerted to the accident and coordinated with relevant agencies to provide assistance.
A speedboat named SAYANG TOUR and a Phi Phi national park vessel reached the scene and rescued all 12 people from the water.
The group was taken to Khlong Muang Beach, where Krabi Phithak Pracha Foundation rescuers and Nong Thale Subdistrict Administrative Organisation rescue personnel transferred the injured to hospital.
Initial reports indicated that about seven people were injured. One suffered a broken arm, while six sustained minor injuries.
All 12 people survived the accident and were brought safely ashore.
Boat was heading to Hong Island
Wichai, 32, who was associated with the boat, said it had departed from Nopparat Thara Beach in Ao Nang subdistrict and was taking the tourists to Hong Island.
As the vessel reached the Laem Hang Nak area, some tourists reportedly moved between seats to take photographs.
The boat was also encountering waves at the time, according to the initial account. It began to tilt, lost its balance and then capsized.
Seat movement and waves examined as possible factors
Rakiya Panabdin, an assistant village headman for Moo 2, said preliminary information suggested that passengers changing seats while the boat was moving may have caused an uneven distribution of weight.
Relatively strong waves in the area may also have contributed to the vessel losing stability and overturning, he said.
These remain preliminary explanations rather than a confirmed cause of the accident.
The incident has prompted a reminder for passengers on tour boats to remain seated while travelling and avoid moving together to one side of a vessel, particularly when sea conditions are unsettled.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances and exact cause of the capsize.
