Israeli killed, 1 seriously hurt as ferry capsizes off Thai coast

An Israeli was killed Tuesday when a ferry carrying dozens of tourists on their way from Maya Bay to Kohpipi in Thailand capsized about a kilometer from the coast, apparently due to a technical failure.

Another Israeli was seriously injured and was being treated in a hospital in Phuket.


Emergency services were summoned to the scene and rescued survivors from the sea. The Foreign Ministry reported that, in total, 36 Israelis were rescued.

All of the Israeli survivors managed to contact their families.

Army Radio's Eran Seizer, who spoke with some of the Israelis, said the ferry capsized due to stormy conditions and that the tourists remained in the water for about half an hour.

"The ferry capsized in the middle of the sea. The waters were stormy and everyone's belongings were in the water. They were in the water for about half an hour. They became hysterical…all of their belongings were ruined."

Some of the Israelis complained that there was an insufficient number of life jackets, Army Radio reported.

Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Yeal Rubenstein told Army Radio that on the ferry there were about 60 tourists on a day tour of seven Thai beaches.

The Foreign Ministry was closely following developments and was in contact with the Thai authorities.

Also, the Israeli Consul in Thailand was sent to the scene of the disaster