People jump into the sea to escape raging ferry fire in Gulf of Thailand. All 108 on board are safe
Bangkok (AP/PTI): Panicked passengers jumped into the sea to escape a raging ferry fire in the Gulf of Thailand early Thursday, and all 108 people on board were safe.
The overnight ferry from Surat Thani province was about to arrive at Koh Tao, a popular tourist destination off the Thai coast, when one of the passengers suddenly heard a crackling sound and smelled smoke.
Maitree Promjampa said he saw billowing smoke and fire less than five minutes later, and that was when people started shouting and rang the alarm.
“We could barely get the life vests in time,” he told The Associated Press. “It was chaotic. People were weeping … I also teared up.”
Of the 108 people on the ferry, 97 were passengers, Surat Thani officials said on Facebook. The province's public relations department posted that everyone was rescued with no casualties.
Videos showed people hurrying out of the ferry's cabin while putting on life vests, as thick black smoke swept across the ferry. It was later engulfed in fire.
Maitree, a Surat Thani resident who often travels to Koh Tao for work, said several boats came to their rescue around 20 minutes after they called for help, but the boats could not get close to the ferry out of fear of explosions. He said people had to jump into the sea to be rescued. Videos showed the ferry was also carrying several vehicles.
“Everyone had to help themselves,” he said.
Officials said the fire was since brought under control. It began in the engine, but the cause is being investigated.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Assam: Four dead in bus accident, 10 injured
Diphu (Assam) (PTI): At least four persons were killed and 10 others injured on Saturday when the bus in which they were travelling lost control and hit a roadside tree in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, officials said.
According to a senior official, the incident took place at Lakkhijan within Bokajan police station limits early morning when the bus was going to Dimapur in Nagaland from Moirabari in Morigaon district of central Assam.
"The bus apparently lost control when it was trying to cross a bend and hit a roadside tree. Four passengers lost their lives on the spot, including the driver," he added.
Police have reached the spot and sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.
"We have also sent 10 people, including a child, for treatment to a hospital in Dimapur," the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Abdul Barek, Khalil Rahman, Chabina Sultana and Alal Uddin.
