Tourists, guide injured when speedboat explodes off Phuket

Tourists, guide injured when speedboat explodes off Phuket

The speedboat Thana Marine 555 burns near Koh Mai Thon off Phuket on Tuesday morning. Six people, including three tourists, were hurt and rushed to hospital. (Photo: Phuket marine office/ Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre)
The boat Thana Marine 555 fires near Koh Mai Thon off Phuket on Tuesday night. Six folks, including three travellers, were hurt and rushed to doctor. ( Photo: Phuket marine office/ Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre )

PHUKET- Three visitors and a link were injured while swimming near a boat that exploded in embers near Koh Mai Thon, off the beach of Phuket, on Tuesday night.

Two staff members of the Thana Marine 555 were likewise injured, including the commander. All six were taken to doctor.

The ship had earlier left Tha Chalong wharf, taking 33 visitors and a guide to Mai Thon area.

It developed motor problems then caught fire and exploded about 9am, after arriving at the beach, according to Nachaphong Pranit, chairman of Phuket sea business.

When the fire erupted there were three people on board, the skipper and two team. Some visitors were swimming in the sea near. &nbsp,

The skipper and one staff member suffered fires. Three visitors and the link sustained shrapnel scars from the blast that left the boat burning strongly, Mr Nachaphong said. &nbsp,

Marine department officials were sent to check. The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre dispatched HTMS Hua Hin to aid in the activity. The Phuket municipal management company sent a fireboat and another boat and staff to help extinguish the flame. The Thana Marine 555 was gutted by the fireplace.

The speedboat catches fire near Mai Thon island off Phuket coast while tourists are taken to another speedboat. (Photo: Phuket marine office/ Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre)

The boat cakes near Koh Mai Thon off the Phuket beach as visitors are transferred to another vessel. ( Photo: Phuket marine office/ Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre )

Officials and firemen try to combat the fire-gutted speedboat. ((Photo: Phuket marine office/ Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre)

A firecrew hose down the lights that gutted the boat. ( ( Photo: Phuket marine office/ Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre )

The speedboat is badly damaged in the fire. (Photo: Third Naval Area)

The boat was gutted by the hearth. ( Photo: Third Naval Area )