Search for four missing passengers after ferry sinks killing one near Thai island
Search for four missing passengers after ferry sinks killing one near Thai island

Divers were today (Aug 3) searching for survivors after a ferry sank killing one and leaving four missing.

The vessel capsized on Saturday night (Aug 1) with 16 passengers and 11 crew onboard while travelling between islands in the south of Thailand.

Officials said the Raja 4 ferry was hit by a strong storm and high waves which knocked it over at around 10pm.

Nine people were rescued on Saturday night and two more the next day, clinging to an island near Koh Samui.

The body of ferry skipper Tewin Surat was found dead later on Sunday afternoon at around 1:30pm near to Koh Mod Daeng island.

His devastated wife is seen in the video breaking down in tears as her husband is brought ashore.

Officials resumed the search today (Aug 3) for the four missing people, named as saleswoman Naparada Chanhan, two crew members Siravut Thongboonyang and Tawakorn Vachararit and lorry driver Chaichan Laosap.

Provincial governor Wichawut Jinto said foreign diving instructors from Koh Tao had joined in the search for the missing Thai nationals.

He said the 10 instructors also helped when 13 members of a junior football team and their coach were trapped in a cave in Chiang Rai in 2018.

Wichawut said the ferry had been loaded with garbage, three 10-wheel lorries and a pick-up truck.

It was heading for Don Sak pier on the mainland in Surat Thani province.