Tour Boat Capsizes in Cheow Lan Dam in Storm: Search for Missing French Tourist
A long-tail tour boat carrying 13 people capsized in the Cheow Lan Dam (Ratchaprapha Dam) in Surat Thani province after being hit by a sudden storm, leaving one French tourist missing and others injured.
Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1344403-tour-boat-capsizes-in-cheow-lan-dam-in-storm-search-for-missing-french-tourist/
A long-tail tour boat carrying 13 people capsized in the Cheow Lan Dam (Ratchaprapha Dam) in Surat Thani province after being hit by a sudden storm, leaving one French tourist missing and others injured.
The incident occurred just before noon on November 23, near the scenic Three Friends Mountain (Khao Sam Kler), a popular tourist attraction in the area. The missing passenger, 83-year-old Mr. Rene Mary Corre, was among a group of 10 French tourists on a trip to Thailand, guided by a local tour company.
According to Ms. Petchaluck Ruchirawarat, the group’s tour guide, the weather was initially clear when they departed from the pier to explore the dam, often called “Thailand’s Guilin” for its stunning limestone formations. “The sky was beautiful when we started,” she recounted. “The group took photos at a popular spot, and everything seemed normal. But just seven minutes after we left the photo area, dark clouds appeared, and heavy rain with strong winds struck suddenly, capsizing the boat at 11:45.”
Ms. Petchaluck confirmed that all passengers were wearing life jackets when the boat overturned. Most of the group, including the guide and the boat operator, were rescued by nearby tour boats. However, Mr. Corre was swept away by strong currents.
Following the incident, search and rescue operations were launched, coordinated by district officials and national park authorities. GPS tracking from the missing tourist’s phone led rescuers to find a floating bag belonging to him near the scene.
Twelve individuals, including four French tourists who suffered minor injuries, were brought back to safety. Two of them were treated for chest pains and water inhalation at a local hospital, while another was transferred to Surat Thani Hospital for further care.
At 18:00 search efforts were suspended due to worsening weather and rough water conditions, with operations set to resume on November 24 at first light..
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and have questioned the boat operator. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable weather conditions that can occur during Thailand’s monsoon season, even on seemingly clear days.
Authorities urged operators and tourists to exercise caution and stay updated on weather forecasts when exploring natural attractions.
Picture from responders.
-- 2024-11-24
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