Ferry to Koh Tao catches fire, all passengers rescued

Suffocation reported, board set up to determine reason of fire

Ferry to Koh Tao catches fire, all passengers rescued
On Thursday night, a day ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Tao in Surat Thani ignites. All of the crew and passengers are unharmed. ( Photo: Disaster and Mitigation Special Unit Facebook )

On Thursday night, a night boat carrying nearly 100 international travellers catches flames off Koh Tao in Surat Thani. All passengers and crew were rescued, and no injuries were reported.

The blaze broke out at Ko Jaroen 2&nbsp, bridge, which operates on the Surat Thani- Koh Tao road, about two to three nautical miles off the beach in Koh Phangan area, said Pol Col Chokchai Sutthimek, commander of Koh Tao police station. Around 7am, someone reported the incident.

The sleeping boat, carrying 97 Thai and international travellers, 11 staff individuals and products, left Surat Thani about 11pm on Wednesday en route to Koh Tao. A fire broke out in the motor area as the ship approached Koh Tao Pier.

Boat owners and island island officials soon sent ships to the ocean to help the people ashore after being alerted. All were brought to sea. However, some travellers suffered minor injuries according to suffocation.

A bridge carrying passengers from Surat Thani to Koh Tao in Surat Thani is in flames. ( Photo supplied/Supapong Chaolan )

Authorities were notified of the hearth at 6:40 am, according to Kritphet Chaichuai, the head of the sea department, when the bridge was about 2 nautical miles off the shoreline in tambon Koh Tao’s Chalok Ban Kao sea.

All of whom were carefully rescued were sent ships from Koh Tao to assist passengers and crew. By 8 o’clock in the morning, the blaze was brought under control. &nbsp,

Despite police claims that there were 97 passengers and 11 staff members, Mr. Kritphet claimed the fire-gutted boat apparently had 90 passengers and eight team members.

A reality- finding screen was set up to investigate the event, said the division chief.

On Thursday night, a hearth erupts at the Ko Jaroen 2 boat off Koh Tao in Surat Thani. ( Video: Fire &amp, Rescue Thailand Facebook )