Shocking footage has captured the moment a packed tourist speedboat sank after a catastrophic head-on collision with a fishing trawler in Thailand, leaving 52 people fighting for their lives in the sea and resulting in one fatality.
Panic in the Andaman Sea
The horrific incident occurred in the waters of the Andaman Sea early on Sunday morning, near Koh Gai Island close to the popular Phi Phi Islands between Phuket and Krabi. The Korawich Marine 888 tourist boat, carrying holidaymakers and crew, collided directly with the fishing trawler Pichai Samut 1.
The impact was so severe it tore the front of the speedboat completely off, causing immediate and catastrophic structural failure. All 52 individuals on board were thrown into the water as the vessel began to sink.
Desperate Scramble for Survival
Witnesses described scenes of panic and desperation as passengers, many in shock, shouted and scrambled to help family members and fellow tourists stay afloat. Distressing images from the scene showed people's heads bobbing in the water as they screamed for help, while others attempted to pull themselves onto the wreckage of the shattered boat.
"People were screaming and holding onto each other. Some were pulling their loved ones out of the water," one witness recounted, painting a picture of the chaos that unfolded.
Mass Rescue and Tragic Loss
A major rescue operation was swiftly launched. Authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew were rapidly retrieved from the sea and brought to shore. However, the event was not without tragedy. One tourist, believed to be an 18-year-old Russian woman named Elizaveta S, is reported to have died in the disaster.
At least a dozen other people sustained injuries. One victim was initially in a critical condition and was rushed to Phi Phi Hospital, while the remaining injured were treated by paramedics before being transferred to hospitals in Phuket for further observation. The fishing trawler involved reportedly suffered no damage.
Investigation Launched
Thai authorities have now opened a formal investigation into the cause of the collision. Officials are expected to examine multiple factors, including the speed of both vessels, visibility conditions at the time, and the navigation practices being followed. The probe aims to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal crash in this busy tourist region.
