Seven people went missing in the sea and nine others were rescued after a ferry was hit by a strong storm and capsized after leaving Koh Samui island, heading for the Don Sak boat pier on the mainland on Saturday night, local media reported.
The ferry, Raja 4, of the Raja Ferry Plc, the operator of ferries plying between Don Sak and Koh Samui, was loaded with garbage, three 10-wheel lorries and a pick-up truck. Onboard the ferry were 11 crewmen, four drivers of the three lorries and the pick-up and a saleswoman.
The ferry departed from Koh Samui at 8.48pm. At about 10pm, it was hit by a strong storm and high waves and capsized about 2 nautical miles from Koh Samui, between Koh 4 and Koh 5 islands.
Wichawut Jinto, the Surat Thani governor, rushed to the boat landing of the Raja Ferry Plc at tambon Lipa Noy on Koh Samui to direct the rescue operation. He was accompanied at the rescue centre by Suthipong Klai-udom, the deputy governor, Teerapong Chuaychu, the Koh Samui district chief, and medical staff from Koh Samui Hospital.
The Koh Samui marine police dispatched two patrol boats, R6 and R10, for the rescue. They managed to safely pull 9 people from the stormy sea – seven ferry crew including the skipper and the drivers of two 10-wheel lorries.
Seven other people – four ferry crewmen, the drivers of the other 10-wheel lorry and the pick-up, and a saleswoman were still missing.
Mr Jinto said the rescue operation was difficult in the rain while the sea waves were 2-3 metres high.
The rescue team continued with the search for the missing people into the night.
