Ferry sinks in Thailand; survivor recounts how strong current swept him away

At least three people died and two are missing after the ferry sank off the island of Koh Samui in stormy conditions

A man who was found on a deserted island said people put on life jackets and swam when they realised the ferry was going down

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Rescue officials help survivors after a ferry capsized amid stormy weather off the coast of Koh Samui island, Surat Thani province, Thailand. At least nine people were rescued. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:19pm, 2 Aug 2020Updated: 11:22pm, 2 Aug 2020

A ferry sank off the Thai island of Koh Samui, leaving up to three people dead and two missing, officials said on Sunday.

The ferry was carrying 12 crew members and four passengers when it sank in stormy conditions on Saturday night after leaving Koh Samui’s port, according to a statement on the Surat Thani Public Affairs Department Facebook page.

Nine people were rescued near the sunken vessel by rescuers. Two more were found hours later near a nearby deserted island.

One person was found dead and four others were missing, the statement said. Later reports indicated that divers had located three bodies.

Survivors of a ferry sinking are seen after being rescued amid stormy weather off the coast of Koh Samui island, Surat Thani province, Thailand. Photo: EPA-EFE

Patchara Thiparat, one of the two found near the deserted island, said when everyone on the ferry realised what was going to happen, they put on life jackets. But he got separated from the rest of the group because he was on the other side of the boat when it was sinking.