Watch: Ferry Carrying 108 Goes Up In Flames, Passengers Jump Into The Sea To Save Their Lives – News18

A night ferry transporting over 100 passengers from one province to another in Thailand went up in flames forcing many panicked passengers to jump into the sea but swift action from the authorities meant that all 108 passengers were safe.

The ferry was transporting passengers from Surat Thani province to Koh Tao, a popular tourist destination off the Thai coast, when one of the passengers suddenly heard a crackling sound and smelled smoke.

“We could barely get the life vests in time. It was chaotic. People were weeping … I also teared up,” Maitree Promjampa was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

He said he saw billowing smoke and fire less than five minutes later aboard the Ko Jaroen 2 ferry, which operates on the Surat Thani Koh Tao route. Pol Col Chokchai Sutthimek, chief of Koh Tao police station also said that the fire erupted aboard the ferry about two to three nautical miles off the island.

The sleeper boat, carrying 97 passengers, 11 crew members and goods, left Surat Thani on Wednesday night (local time) and caught fire early morning Tuesday as it approached the Koh Tao pier. The fire was reported in the engine room.

Videos showed people hurrying out of the ferry’s cabin while putting on life vests, as thick black smoke swept across the ferry. It was later engulfed in fire.

However, officials on the island immediately dispatched boats to the sea to rescue the people onboard and brought every single one of them ashore.

The fire was brought under control. The ferry did not sink. The ferry was also carrying some vehicles.

The ferry from Surat Thani to Koh Tao carries both commuters and tourists. Koh Tao is about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the coast.

Maitree Promjampa said everyone had to rescue themselves. “Everyone had to help themselves,” he said.