Phuket police have recovered the body of a Moroccan tourist who was swept away while swimming at Karon Beach.

Ezzakani Othmane, 25, was found on Kata Noi Beach at about 6am on 16 September, two days after he disappeared in the sea off Karon.

Body identified by missing man's friend

Police were alerted by the Karon Police Station radio centre to the discovery of a foreign man's body on the beach at Kata Noi, in Karon subdistrict, Mueang Phuket district.

Lt Col Ekkasak Khwanwan, an investigator at Karon Police Station, informed station superintendent Col Pathee Srichai before going to inspect the scene.

Officers found the body of a foreign man lying on the shore. He was wearing black shorts and was initially believed to be the tourist who had gone missing at Karon Beach on 14 September.

Investigators contacted a friend of the missing man, who travelled to the scene and confirmed that the body was that of Othmane.

Two tourists caught in the sea

The incident began at about 6.40pm on 14 September, when two Moroccan tourists got into difficulty in the water at Karon Beach.

Lifeguards and officials were able to bring Mohamed Bourhim, 22, safely ashore. His friend, Othmane, was swept away by the current and could not be found.

Authorities continued their search until the body was located at Kata Noi Beach, also within Karon subdistrict.

Post-mortem and embassy contact

Police will arrange a post-mortem examination in line with legal procedures.

They will also contact the Moroccan Embassy so that Othmane's relatives can make arrangements for his body to be collected.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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17 September 2026

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There is a poster who posted "should not swim in Phuket, without fins". In this case, damn straight, ol boy couldn't swim ends up half a mile down the coast. RIP

The rip current is unforgiving. Disrespect it at your own peril.