Speedboats swarm to the rescue to evacuate tourists as smoke billows from the engine room of the Rungorawan 2. Two disasters at sea were narrowed averted when quick rescue efforts saved nearly 200 lives. Over 100 Chinese tourists were evacuated from the Rungorawan 2 when its engine caught fire June 1 between Pattaya and Koh Larn. The previous day, 82 people were pulled from the Petchara 7 when the ferry sank on its way back to Pattaya on Sunday May 31. No injuries were reported.
Engine fire strikes Koh Larn boat
More than 100 Chinese tourists had to be evacuated from a Koh Larn passenger boat after its engine caught fire at sea.
Ten speedboats responded to a June 1 distress call by the Rungorawan 2. By the time help arrived, smoke was billowing from the engine compartment and crewmembers were spraying the fire with chemical fire extinguishers.
The speedboats carried 102 Chinese tourists back to Pattaya. None were injured by the fire or leaving the boat.
Speedboats swarm to the rescue to evacuate tourists as smoke billows from the engine room of the Rungorawan 2. Two disasters at sea were narrowed averted when quick rescue efforts saved nearly 200 lives. Over 100 Chinese tourists were evacuated from the Rungorawan 2 when its engine caught fire June 1 between Pattaya and Koh Larn. The previous day, 82 people were pulled from the Petchara 7 when the ferry sank on its way back to Pattaya on Sunday May 31. No injuries were reported.
The captain of the vessel, 47-year-old Somyod Chalalai, was unsure what started the fire. He remained on board after the passengers had disembarked and marine investigators planned to travel to the stricken boat to interview him.
The accident was the second in two days involving a Koh Larn passenger boat. On May 31, a ferry carrying 82 Thai tourists sunk returning from the resort island. All the passengers were evacuated from the boat before it submerged and no one was injured.
