People jump into the sea to escape raging ferry fire in Gulf of Thailand. All 108 on board are safe
Panicked passengers have jumped into the sea to escape a raging ferry fire in the Gulf of Thailand, and all 108 people on board are safe
By AP News
Published - Apr 04, 2024, 02:33 AM ET
Last Updated - Apr 04, 2024, 02:33 AM EDT
BANGKOK (AP) — Panicked passengers jumped into the sea to escape a raging ferry fire in the Gulf of Thailand early Thursday, and all 108 people on board were safe.
The overnight ferry from Surat Thani province was about to arrive at Koh Tao, a popular tourist destination off the Thai coast, when one of the passengers suddenly heard a crackling sound and smelled smoke.
Maitree Promjampa said he saw billowing smoke and fire less than five minutes later, and that was when people started shouting and rang the alarm.
“We could barely get the life vests in time,” he told The Associated Press. “It was chaotic. People were weeping … I also teared up.”
