Two Poles killed in Thai ferry accident

Thai emergency services attend to victims of Sunday evening's ferry accident near the resort town of Pattaya. Photo: EPA/Stringer

Poland's consul in Bangkok Stefania Kaluzna confirmed the deaths on Monday morning.

It is understood that the Poles were a married couple, aged about sixty.

At least six people died after the apparently overcrowded ferry flipped over while making a half-hour crossing between Lan island and Pattaya, sixty miles south east of Bangkok.

According to Thai police, the ferry was designed to accommodate from 130 to 150 passengers, but the vessel was carrying about 200 on Sunday evening.

Preliminary findings indicate that an engine problem occurred, prompting passengers on the first deck to rush to the one above. The ferry then turned over.

The two Polish casualties were initially reported as being Russian. A Chinese man and three Thais were also confirmed dead.

Witnesses have claimed that there was a lack of life-jackets on the ferry. (nh)

Source: IAR, AP