Ferry to Thailand's Infamous 'Island of Death' Catches Fire, Passengers Leap for Safety

More than 100 passengers were traveling to Koh Tao island in southern Thailand when their ferry caught fire. Some passengers found refuge on the roof, while others chose to leap into the water. This incident occurred en route to the island, often morbidly called the "Island of Death."

The ferry, destined for Koh Tao, had 108 passengers and was also carrying vehicles and animals. At about 6:30 PM Eastern Time, a loud explosion was heard, followed by the smell of smoke. Within minutes, thick, dark smoke enveloped the area from below deck, causing panic.

"There weren't enough life jackets, and we only put them on at the last minute. People were crying; it was utter chaos," one passenger shared. The ship's captain quickly notified the Coast Guard, but flames consumed the ferry. Some passengers managed to get to the roof for safety, while others had no choice but to jump overboard.

Rescue teams arrived approximately 20 minutes later, cautious of moving too close due to the risk of an explosion. Once they managed to control the fire, the evacuation process began. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, though some individuals suffered from smoke inhalation.

Koh Tao is famed for its breathtaking beauty and is a prime vacation spot in Thailand. Yet, its reputation has been tarnished by a series of troubling events. Dubbed the "Island of Death," the island became infamous back in 2014 when two British tourists were found murdered. Since that tragedy, nine European tourists have either died or vanished under mysterious circumstances. A similarly disconcerting incident occurred on Phuket, another nearby island, where a Swiss tourist's body was discovered two years ago, with murder suspected in her death.

Source: Daily Mail