One dead, one missing in Thai tour boat capsizing

One person was killed while another has gone missing after a tour boat capsized in Phetchaburi province in southern Thailand on Saturday, August 12.

Video footage that has since circulated online shows the wooden-hulled vessel overturning upon being struck by a waterspout in Ban Laem district on the afternoon (local time) of Saturday.

The incident occurred as the vessel was returning to shore after having completed a whale-watching excursion in Bang Tabun in the northern portion of the Gulf of Thailand.

All seven of the boat’s passengers were thrown into the water due to the force of the impact, though one male and four females were rescued shortly afterwards.

Police officials said one male passenger was found deceased on the morning of Sunday, August 13. One other male passenger is still missing, prompting the continuation of search and rescue operations in the surrounding waters.

The five rescued passengers all suffered mild injuries while the boat’s 63-year-old captain was unharmed.

Officials have also begun looking into reports that the passengers were not wearing lifejackets at the time of the incident.