At least 13 people died on Sunday when a ship filled with passengers sank in Thailand’s Chao Phraya River after hitting a bridge, a rescue official said.
The accident occurred near the traditional city of Ayutthaya, a preferred tourist attraction, although no foreigners were believed to be among the many victims.
“So far, 13 people have been confirmed dead and 33 injured,” said Udomsak Khaonoona, head of disaster prevention in the town 80 km north of Bangkok.
“The boat tried to avoid one other ship and hit the concrete column of the bridge,” he said, adding that the passengers were local residents.
Udomsak said there have been believed to be about 100 passengers on board the ship, 4 of whom are currently unknown.
Video footage released by Khaosod TV showed desperate scenes as rescuers tried to succeed in the damaged ship, whose stern was partially underwater.
Rescuers threw ropes to assist people swim to land, while others performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on unconscious victims on the river banks.
Despite its wealth in comparison with regional neighbors and an enormous tourism sector, accidents on Thailand’s public transport network are common. Safety regulations are sometimes poorly enforced.
The country has considered one of the world’s worst road fatality rates. Accidents of motor boats traveling between the southern tourist islands, that are popular amongst tourists, are also common.
The Chao Phraya, the predominant river that flows through Bangkok, is a key thoroughfare, crammed with often overcrowded boats plying the waterways at breakneck speeds.
This article appeared within the print edition of the South China Morning Post as: At least 13 people died in a ship disaster on the Chao Phraya River
