Six dead in Pattaya ferry sinking

[news junkie]

Six dead in Pattaya ferry sinking

Police say six tourists, including two Russians and a Chinese, were killed when an overcrowded ferry sank off Pattaya.

Pol Col Suwan Cheawnavinthavat said about 200 Thai and foreign tourists were on a double-decker ferry that left Koh Lan for the 30-minute trip to Pattaya on Sunday.

Soon after the boat departed, an engine problem sent the tourists rushing to the second floor, causing the ferry to flip on its side and eventually sink.

Pol Col Suwan said three Thais also drowned. The rest of the passengers were rescued, including a 9-year-old Russian boy who was in intensive care at a hospital. Reports said at least 10 people were seriously injured.

Pol Col Suwan said the ferry was operating over its capacity. Some reports said a water pump failed and the boat began to fill up.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...-ferry-sinking

[news junkie]

BBC News - Several killed as Thai ferry sinks off Pattaya

At least six people died as an overcrowded ferry sank near the tourist resort of Pattaya in eastern Thailand.

The dead included three Thais, two Russians and a Chinese, police said. A nine-year-old Russian boy is critically ill in hospital, reports said.

There were reportedly 200 passengers on board the ferry that left Lan island for the 30-minute trip to Pattaya.

The rescue effort is continuing as it is thought more passengers could still be trapped inside the vessel.

There were no immediate details on the number of injured or missing.

The ferry sank after running into engine trouble at around 17:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Sunday, police said.

"Witnesses said there were neither enough tubes nor life vests on the ferry. Some of those who cannot swim had to cling onto coolers or ice containers until rescuers came," police Col Suwan Cheawnavinthavat was quoted by the Associated Press as saying.

Dozens of ambulances are at the scene in Pattaya, which is about 100km (60 miles) south-east of Bangkok.

Police want to talk to the ferry captain to try to ascertain the cause of the accident, Col Suwan said.


BBC News - Several killed as Thai ferry sinks off Pattaya

[news junkie]

http://www.pattayaone.net/pattaya-ne...erry-disaster/

[news junkie]