A speedboat packed with dozens of tourists collided head-on with a fishing trawler in Thailand, killing a teenage tourist and injuring at least 22 others onboard
A teenage tourist has died after 55 people were thrown into the sea after a horror speedboat accident in a holiday hotspot.
The woman, 18, is said to be a Russian national that was on board the vessel which crashed head-on with a fishing boat off the Phi-Phi Islands in Thailand, sparking a huge rescue operation.
The horror happened at around 9.10am local time on Sunday near Koh Khiao, located between Phuket and Koh Phi Phi in the Krabi province. Three crew members, all Thai nationals, and 19 foreign tourists were said to be injured.
After receiving initial first aid from Koh Phi Phi Hospital and assistance from the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization, they were transported by boat to Phuket for further treatment, local media reported.
There were reportedly 52 holidaymakers and three crew on the ship when the terrifying smash unfolded on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses who saw the horror described scenes of panic as passengers shouted and scrambled to help family members and fellow tourists stay afloat.
One witness said: “People were screaming and holding onto each other. Some were pulling their loved ones out of the water.”
The front of the speedboat was torn off due to the impact of the collision. The boat also overturned following the crash before it started to sink in the Andaman Sea.
According to local media, the accident happened near Koh Gai Island, and the Phi Phi Islands, in waters between Phuket and Krabi. Emergency services rushed to the scene before rescuing dozens of stranded passengers from the sea.
But there were reportedly at least 12 injuries following the collision and one death. One was also said to be in a critical condition and was rushed to Phi Phi Hospital.
The other injured victims were treated by paramedics and transferred to hospitals in Phuket for further treatment.
Authorities said the fishing trawler Pichai Samut 1 was not damaged after it was slammed, but claimed the speedboat suffered catastrophic structural failure.
Cops are now probing the exact circumstances of the collision, including speed, visibility and navigation practices.
The Russian Consulate General in Phuket confirmed the death of a young Russian woman, Russian outlet MoneyTimes.ru reports.
Yegor Ivanov, the Russian Consul General in Phuket, said: “Unfortunately, the death of the Russian woman has been confirmed. We are clarifying the details of the other victims.”
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