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A 12-year-old Israeli girl was killed on Wednesday in a boat explosion in southern Thailand. The engine of a Phuket ferry exploded off Krabi, causing Thai and foreign passengers to jump ship.

Local authorities initially reported that the young girl was missing and that efforts were being made to find her. However, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that the young girl had died. The ministry is working with the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok to arrange for her body to be transferred back to Israel. Both the girl’s brother and parents were rescued.

The family had been vacationing in Thailand during Passover to celebrate the young girl’s bat mitzvah.

Approximately 104 passengers were on board the ferry when the explosion occurred. The vessel was about 8 kilometers from Railay beach when the captain heard the explosion. He quickly ordered all passengers and crew to put on life jackets and prepare to abandon the ship. The ferry was quickly engulfed in flames and burned down to the waterline before it finally sank.

Nearby fishing trawlers and pleasure crafts helped with the rescue efforts, pulling those at sea on board to safety. No other injuries have been reported. Ao Nang Travel and Tour Co. operated the sunken ferry.

-- 2015-04-08

My sympathies to the family and friends. What a tragic ending to what should be the start of a life.

RIP young lady.

The girl was locked in a bathroom when the fire erupted near the engines of the ferry. She was on a trip to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah along with her parents and two other siblings who survived the fire...

Killed by fire is totally disgusting death..

Rest In Peace girl...

Edited April 8, 201511 yr by Mcffee

What was this boat made out of, cinder and tar? why did it caught on fife so quickly?

many questions aren't answered here? and why is everything in Thailand is a death

traps for local and tourists?

Tragic. Rest in Peace, young one.

More than likely another accident that could have been avoided with routine maintenance and checks. But this is Thailand where no one does their job and fobs off responsibility as a way of habit.

Are these the same people who are not performing airline safety audits as required by international authorities.

Safety costs are value for money and may have saved the life of the little girl.

no mention of launching life boats or of passengers getting into life boats...?

So sad.

RIP and condolences.

What was this boat made out of, cinder and tar? why did it caught on fife so quickly?

many questions aren't answered here? and why is everything in Thailand is a death

traps for local and tourists?

Wood, it burns you know. There was an explosion on the boat that's why it caught fire so quickly.

Your not being strictly accurate in your last statement, nowhere near everything in Thailand is a death trap, I've been here over 20 years and travelled in cars, buses, vans, ferries, planes, motorcycles, trains and never once been killed.

Tragic. Rest in Peace, young one.

More than likely another accident that could have been avoided with routine maintenance and checks. But this is Thailand where no one does their job and fobs off responsibility as a way of habit.

Do you know how this incident happened then? Of course you don't but this is Thaivisa were you know more than everyone else, particularly Thais

no mention of launching life boats or of passengers getting into life boats...?

Probably because vessels of this size aren't required to have lifeboats. There was mention of life jackets being available and used by the passengers but that was a positive point that saved lives and doesn't fit in with your negative view of Thailand.

What do you want to bet the the Captain and crew were the first off the boat? Maybe I've been here too long and have become too jaded in my opinions. Poor child. I can only begin to imagine what was going through her mind while this was happening.

Tragic. Rest in Peace, young one.

More than likely another accident that could have been avoided with routine maintenance and checks. But this is Thailand where no one does their job and fobs off responsibility as a way of habit.

Do you know how this incident happened then? Of course you don't but this is Thaivisa were you know more than everyone else, particularly Thais

It's not difficult for a westerner to know more about safety than Thais. Sviss Geez is correct in his comment about routine maintenance checks. In any type of public transportation vehicle, safety, inspections and training of the crew are the primary principals of business. Take the recent issues with the Thai aircarriers for example...

What was this boat made out of, cinder and tar? why did it caught on fife so quickly?

many questions aren't answered here? and why is everything in Thailand is a death

traps for local and tourists?

Wood, it burns you know. There was an explosion on the boat that's why it caught fire so quickly.

Your not being strictly accurate in your last statement, nowhere near everything in Thailand is a death trap, I've been here over 20 years and travelled in cars, buses, vans, ferries, planes, motorcycles, trains and never once been killed.

Never once killed? I guess in Buddhism people believe they will be born as something else, like cats, which would be the best option as it would give them the guarantee of an additional 7 lives, if the cat was not buddhist!

Terrible, absolutely tragic.

Tragic. Rest in Peace, young one.

More than likely another accident that could have been avoided with routine maintenance and checks. But this is Thailand where no one does their job and fobs off responsibility as a way of habit.

Do you know how this incident happened then? Of course you don't but this is Thaivisa were you know more than everyone else, particularly Thais

It's not difficult for a westerner to know more about safety than Thais. Sviss Geez is correct in his comment about routine maintenance checks. In any type of public transportation vehicle, safety, inspections and training of the crew are the primary principals of business. Take the recent issues with the Thai aircarriers for example...

Oops... typo! I meant to say falangjim... not Sviss Geeze. If you appreciate the correction then my post will make more sense.

How does an engine explode ?

Leaking fuel pipe on exhaust more like due to no maintenance. Same as the buses, coaches, minivans and now it seems aeroplanes.

When will this country take their responsibilities seriously.

RIP the poor girl.

Are these the same people who are not performing airline safety audits as required by international authorities.

Safety costs are value for money and may have saved the life of the little girl.

No I guess on the boats no one is performing anything....