A tourist-filled speedboat collided head-on with a fishing trawler near the Phi Phi Islands in southern Thailand. The incident involved the Korawich Marine 888, carrying 55 people, which resulted in a tragic outcome for an 18-year-old Russian tourist named Elizaveta S. Despite rescue efforts, she lost her life.
Reports indicate that a dozen individuals sustained injuries, with one initially in critical condition and transported to Phi Phi Hospital. The rest received medical attention from paramedics and were later moved to hospitals in Phuket for further assessment. The collision occurred close to Koh Gai Island, causing the speedboat to capsize in the Andaman Sea after its bow was torn off. Fortunately, the fishing trawler, Pichai Samut 1, remained undamaged, and no environmental harm was reported.
The Russian Consulate General in Phuket confirmed the tragic death of the Russian tourist. Yegor Ivanov, the Russian Consul General, expressed condolences and mentioned ongoing efforts to gather information about the other victims. Authorities are actively investigating the causes of the accident, focusing on factors like speed, visibility, and navigation procedures at the time of the collision.
While the nationalities of all passengers have not been officially disclosed, it is known that Russian-speaking tourists were among those onboard. Thailand’s Andaman coast is a popular destination for tourists, especially during the winter season, with numerous speedboats shuttling passengers between Phuket, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands daily.