An enjoyable holiday took a tragic turn for a Malaysian family on Wednesday (25 Jan) when a boat they were in capsized while touring Poda Island in Krabi, Thailand.
Source: Erik Karits on Pexels, for illustration purposes only
A young child and her mother, who was pregnant, passed away, while the father survived.
The police are planning to question the boat operator, who also survived, after he is discharged from the hospital.
According to The Thaiger, the victims are Tan Chen Woon, 36, and her six-year-old daughter.
They were on a longtail boat with the father, 37-year-old Gan Kah Seng, and boat operator Sala Budsa, 45, when the vessel capsized and sank.
Source: Erik Karits on Unsplash, for illustration purposes only
A young fisherman discovered them floating in the sea and pulled them onto his boat before bringing them to shore at Klong Sai Pier.
The woman and child, who were already unconscious when found, were later pronounced dead at Krabi Hospital.
Thai PBS World notes that the boat operator was the only one wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
Krabi governor Passakorn Bunyalak said that the boat likely capsized due to large waves, Bernama reports.
He also said that both Mr Gan and Mr Sala are recovering well under close hospital supervision.
The tragedy prompted Mr Passakorn to inform the relevant agencies to render assistance to the family of the victims.
Muhammad Ridzuan Abu Yazid, the Consul General of Malaysia in Songkhla, also told Bernama that the consulate is trying its best to help repatriate the bodies to Malaysia.
Police officers intend to speak to Mr Sala for more details upon his discharge from the hospital.
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Featured image adapted from Cristiano Pinto on Unsplash, for illustration purposes only.
The boy is an only child to the single mum.
Authorities had to use equipment to pry the vehicle open to free the man.
The authorities have investigated and closed the incident with no follow-ups required, MFA said.
He crossed the border daily in hopes of buying a house for his family.
On a few days, the thundery showers might extend into the night.
His church has urged parishioners to refrain from visiting him as he heals.