Body of missing Belgian man found after ignoring red flag in Phuket

[webfact]

 

A Belgian man drowned after ignoring a red flag warning on Freedom Beach in Phuket. Thai netizens’ opinions were divided. Some expressed condolences to his family, while others condemned him for being reckless and causing trouble to rescuers.

 

According to a Phuket Times report on June 22, two accidents were reported on Kata and Freedom beaches. In the first incident, two victims got into trouble in the sea after violating the warning sign on Kata Beach but lifeguards managed to help them safely.

 

Four other victims ignored the red flag on Kata Beach on the same day. Among the four individuals involved in the incident, two were identified as a Yemeni man and a Belgian man, while the other two chose to keep their nationalities private. Lifeguards successfully rescued three of the victims, but the Belgian man remained missing.

Rescue teams have been searching for the Belgian man, identified as 28 year old Luvovadio Allan Deraut, since the day of the incident, but have so far been unsuccessful in locating him.

The strong waves and winds have raised concerns among Thai netizens for the safety of the rescue team. Many have expressed their support and encouragement for the rescuers, while others have criticised the tourists for recklessly endangering the lives of the rescue workers.

 

“I feel sorry for the rescuers who have to be in danger because of these ignorant people. There was a red flag on the beach. Some of the flags could not even stand the strong wind, why did you dare to swim?”

 

“I would like to give encouragement to all lifeguards on the beach.”

 

“I think authorities must close all the beaches or find a better solution. If not, more losses will be reported.”

“Those tourists walked into danger by themselves.”

 

“Why are foreigners so stubborn? Relevant authorities must put up a big sign to explain the red flag. Some beachgoers may not understand its meaning.”

 

The Phuket Times reported today, June 24, that the body of Deraut was washed up on Freedom Beach at about 4.30am after two days of disappearance. His body will be transferred to a hospital for an autopsy.

 

by Petch Petpailin 

Photo via Facebook/ Phuket Times ภูเก็ตไทม์

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-06-24

 

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[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Why are foreigners so stubborn?

I have been asking that many times. Yet, it´s just arriving another nutcase after another.

[RayOday]

A number of years ago I went swimming off Karon Beach. I am an experienced swimmer. There were no red flags. I recognized a few very strong discrete under tow currents. The conditions were clearly unsafe for novice, weak, and children swimmers. One needs to exercise caution even with no red flags or low wave height. Don't swim in dicey waters especially if you are under the influence of any intoxicants. Common sense. Use it.

Edited Monday at 06:02 AM by RayOday

[Tropicalevo]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

while others have criticised the tourists for recklessly endangering the lives of the rescue workers.

I wonder if the 'others' realise that it is not intentional.

No one goes swimming thinking 'I hope that I need rescuing today'.

[cardinalblue]

Stupid is what stupid does…nothing to do with stubbornness 

 

nature always bats last….some day man will be extinct on the earth so I will have it all to myself 

[Stargeezr]

I have been to Thailand many times as well as hawaii, and Yes the red flag means danger all over the world, so if

stupid people ignore it and go drown in the ocean, I have little sympathy for them. I do feel sorry that their friends

and families have to suffer because of their ignorance costing them their lives.

[freedomnow]

I think simply they do not know the red flag system, or even register it as they step-in.