Accident Three Dead After Inhaling Toxic Gas on Fishing Boat in Chumphon

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An incident aboard a fishing vessel has left three crew members dead and another in critical condition after they reportedly inhaled toxic gas while retrieving fish from the ship’s storage hold.

 

The incident occurred on the night of 28 June, when emergency responders from the Rak Sintham Foundation rescue unit in Pak Nam Chumphon were alerted at around 20:30 that four crewmen had collapsed on a fishing boat after entering a fish storage hold below deck.

 

When rescue teams arrived, they found that three of the men had already succumbed to what is believed to be hydrogen sulfide gas, emitted from decaying fish.

 

The deceased have been named as Mr. Noi 45, Mr. Weerayut 37, and Mr. Pramote 33. A fourth victim, 28-year-old Mr. Arthit, was resuscitated by rescue workers using CPR and remains under close medical supervision in a critical condition.

 

According to Mr. Amarit 46, a fellow crew member, the boat had departed from a pier in Prachuap Khiri Khan on 26 June with over 30 crew aboard. The vessel, engaged in mackerel fishing and had secured approximately 300 kilograms of fish during the trip. The catch was stored in seven 200-litre containers, packed with ice, and lowered into the vessel’s cold storage hold.

 

The crew continued fishing over the course of two days before returning to shore to unload the catch at a pier in Pak Nam Chumphon. The incident happened as they were emptying the last compartment, which contained fish stored during the initial days of the trip.

 

Mr. Amarit explained that when the first crewman descended into the storage area to retrieve the fish, he immediately collapsed. One by one, three others followed in an attempt to help, each succumbing within minutes to the toxic atmosphere below deck. A fifth crewman, suspecting gas exposure, used the vessel’s onboard air pump and a mask to safely descend and retrieve the unconscious men.

 

Pak Nam Chumphon police have launched an investigation, collecting evidence from the vessel and recording witness statements. Post-mortem examinations have been completed as officials work to confirm the cause of death.

 

Relatives of the deceased have travelled from Prachuap Khiri Khan to collect the bodies.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-30

 

 

 

 

[Captain Flack]

Troll post removed.

[Georgealbert]

In response to a removed post claiming “total nonsense” , some real information.

 

Decaying fish can give off hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas, because as fish decompose, anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive without oxygen) break down sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine and methionine.This breakdown releases hydrogen sulfide gas, especially in low-oxygen or enclosed conditions. H₂S can cause collapse within seconds

 

H₂S is hazardous even at low concentrations.It is heavier than air, so it can accumulate in low-lying areas. So in this scenario it would have displaced the air in the hold, producing an irrespirable atmosphere.

 

Post-mortem results will determine if the deaths were caused by H₂S or oxygen deficiency.