A horror crash near Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands has left one dead and 22 injured after a tourist speedboat slammed into a fishing trawler. The violent impact threw 55 people into the rough Andaman Sea on Sunday morning.
Chaos as Speedboat Collides with Trawler
All 52 tourists and three crew onboard the Korawich Marine 888 were violently tossed into the sea when the packed speedboat smashed head-on into a trawler near Koh Gai Island, between Phuket and Krabi. Panic erupted as passengers screamed and clung to each other to stay afloat.
“People were screaming and holding onto each other. Some were pulling their loved ones out of the water,” a witness revealed.
The front of the speedboat was ripped off in the smash, causing it to overturn and sink rapidly. Nearby vessels and rescue teams rushed to pull survivors from the choppy waters.
Russian Teen Dies in Tragic Crash
Shockingly, 18-year-old Russian tourist Elizaveta S. succumbed to her injuries despite frantic medical efforts. The Russian consulate-general in Phuket, Yegor Ivanov, confirmed her death and said investigations are underway.
“The Consulate General has received information about the death of a Russian citizen,” Ivanov said. “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of this incident.”
Injuries and Rescue Efforts
- 22 people injured, including 19 foreign tourists and three Thai crew members
- One victim rushed to Phi Phi Hospital in critical condition
- Others treated at hospitals in Phuket
- Fishing trawler escaped damage; speedboat shattered beyond repair
- No oil spills or environmental harm reported
Thai officials are probing the crash, focusing on speed, visibility, and navigation. The southern Andaman coast bustles with tourist boats, especially in winter, on routes linking Phuket, Krabi, and Phi Phi Islands.
Though the crash happened in Krabi waters, Phuket rescue teams took charge of emergency response due to their proximity and resources. Authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover what triggered Sunday’s deadly disaster.
