16 injured as boat explodes
KRABI: Sixteen Thai and Chinese nationals were injured, five seriously, in a speedboat accident after the vessel exploded while operating near Koh Phi Phi Le yesterday.
The victims were admitted to different local hospitals: nine to Phi Phi Hospital, three to Krabi Hospital and four to Vachira Phuket Hospital.
Of the injured, five — two Thais and three Chinese tourists — were seriously wounded as they sustained burns during the blast, according to Anurak Parinyasathirakul, police inspector of the Krabi Marine Police.
The most seriously-injured was Kriengkrai Boonsri, 28, captain of the speedboat, who sustained severe burns to his face and legs.
However, all five are now out of intensive care and able to communicate with medical staff.
Pol Lt Col Anurak said he was alerted to the incident near Koh Phi Phi Le at 11.50am yesterday.
Police and rescue workers were sent to the scene where the speedboat, named King Poseidon 959, caught fire after the blast.
The vessel was severely damaged by the explosion.
Paisarn Khunsri, of the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, said the speedboat with 26 Chinese tourists — 23 adults and three children — and five Thai crew departed from Koh Sirey in Phuket for Viking Cave in Krabi.
Marine police will examine the speedboat’s operating licence and forward the case to the provincial police.