Tourist Boat Engulfed in Flames at Phuket Pier
A major fire has ripped through a tourist speedboat on the Thai holiday island of Phuket, resulting in five injuries and one person reported missing. The incident occurred at Ao Makham Bay, where the vessel named Tequila was undergoing engine repairs at Coco Pier.
Desperate Rescue Efforts Amid Inferno
Huge flames and thick black smoke billowed from the boat around 10:30 am local time, prompting a frantic rescue operation. Workers and emergency crews battled to contain the blaze, with some jumping into the water to untie the boat and assist those on board. A tour guide, identified as Komphet Wanadee, 24, went missing after reportedly jumping from the burning vessel to help.
Authorities confirmed that no tourists were on board during the fire. The Phuket City Administrative Office stated that five crew members—four men and one woman—were rescued and transported to hospital with minor injuries. They have been named as Niwat Duangmani, Chutidet Arischa, Muhammad Husam Tiangnoi, Piyathida Pojin, and Komkrit Arunadet.
Fire Control and Search Operations
The boat was towed into open water to prevent the fire from spreading to other vessels at the dock. Fire boats from the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation managed to bring the inferno under control. Officials have cordoned off the area, and divers are scouring the waters for the missing tour guide.
Initial investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by an explosion on the boat during repair work. This incident comes just days before the vessel's passenger insurance policy was set to expire on April 10.
Recent History of Boat Fires in Phuket
This is not the first such incident in the region. On January 7, a fire at Chalong Pier in Phuket damaged more than 20 speedboats. That blaze, believed to have started on a leisure vessel, was fanned by strong winds and spread to neighbouring boats, causing significant financial losses, including three boats valued at around five million baht each. An investigation revealed that all boats had been fully fuelled in preparation for tourist trips.
The recurring nature of these fires highlights ongoing safety concerns for tourist vessels in Phuket, a popular destination for international travellers. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as search efforts for the missing tour guide remain active.
