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phuket gazette

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Seven drown as boat sinks off Samui


KOH SAMUI: Seven people have drowned and 10 are still missing after a boat returning to Koh Samui after a full moon party on Koh Pha-ngan sank early this morning

Speaking with the Gazette at midday today, Pol Col Arkom Saisamai, Superintendent of Samui Police Station, told the Gazette that about 40 passengers were aboard the Sea Breeze on a return trip to Koh Samui at about 5 am, when the overloaded boat started to take on water.

The trip from the Koh Pha-ngan, famed for its all-night full moon parties, to Koh Samui usually takes about 20 minutes.

Col Arkom told the Gazette that the seven victims were three Thais, an American man, an Israeli woman and two other foreign victims who have yet to be identified.

“About 10 people are still missing. The Marine Police and other officers are searching for them now.

“The injured survivors have already been transfered to Koh Samui Hospital, but none were seriously injured,” Col Arkom said.

He added that the victims had most likely been drinking and had little sleep, both factors that would have contributed to their deaths.