75 Flee Sinking Cruise Ferry in Thailand
All passengers and crew managed to escape from a sinking passenger vessel on Thailand's Chao Phraya River on Sunday evening, The National Thailand reports.
The three-story vessel High Season 1 was said to be carrying 60 passengers, mostly Thai and Chinese tourists, plus 15 crew when it sank near a private pier in Soi Somdet Chaophraya 1 in Bangkok’s Khlong San district. There were no reported injuries or damage to property or the environment.
“The ship made a U-turn to return to the hotel when it reached Phra Pok Klao Bridge. The operator noticed that the ship was tilting to the right side, probably caused by a leak,” said Jakkri Sriraksa, a staff member from Khlong San Rescue Volunteer Foundation, as quoted by The National. “They radioed the nearest pier for emergency embarking and safely evacuated all 75 passengers and staff on the shore.”
Officials are investigating the cause of the incident and arranging for the vessel to be salvaged.