Phuket, July 29 - Rescue teams of 45 people are mobilizing to search for Senegalese tourists. Drowned at Freedom Beach, Phuket Province, both on land and at sea, but still without a sign. Encountering obstacles, waves, winds in the sea are quite strong.
In the case of a 22-year-old Senegal male tourist swimming in the sea at Freedom Beach, Karon Subdistrict, Muang District, Phuket Province in the afternoon of July 28, the past By rescuers and water operations team, Kusaladhamma Phuket Foundation In collaboration with the Karon Subdistrict Municipality, beach lifeguards, tourist police, tourist assistance centers and staff of the Maritime Victims Rescue Center The 3rd Royal Thai Navy used rubber boats and jet skis to search at sea. and walking on foot to search for the banks along the rocks but still without a sign and has temporarily suspended the search Yesterday evening (July 28), due to strong wind waves, searching was difficult. and fearing that it might cause harm For the safety of the search team And plans will be made to redistribute the search power in the surrounding radius or the area where the waves are expected to pass. At the same time, a missing persons search command center was set up at Freedom Beach.
Most recently today (July 29, 2023), officers and 45 rescue teams have a meeting to plan and divide search forces on land and at sea alternately. But the work is quite difficult. Because the sea waves are quite strong, the waves are 2-3 meters high, and also sent a team to fly drones to help find another way. But the body of the said tourist has not been found.
Lieutenant Jetet Wirasorn, Mayor of Karon Subdistrict, said after the search team had conducted a search operation after being notified. and temporarily suspended the search Because the wind waves are quite strong and dark, which in the morning today (July 29, 23) has integrated the forces of various agencies. Related, including 45 troops, had a planning meeting and divided the forces in the search. Both searching for the surface Rubber boats and jet skis were deployed to search the Freedom Beach front. Continuing to reach Patong Beach and Karon Beach.
In addition, a walking team was organized to search the shore and rocks in the surrounding radius. Because it is possible that the waves may wash the bodies of tourists to stick to the rocks. But finding it is quite difficult. because the sea level is quite high and strong winds which hinder the search But all parties did not give up their efforts. There are still organized forces to continue to search. However, according to reports from lifeguards, know that the said tourist cannot swim Because after he was hit by a wave, his body completely disappeared. Although the staff tried to help but could not find it. It is possible that the body was washed out to sea by waves. or may be caught by the waves onto the rocks
The reporter reported that At present, the sea waves in the Andaman coast are quite strong. and beaches Red flags have been installed to warn of danger and prohibit swimming. At the same time, there will be lifeguards blowing warning whistles. Including verbal warnings to tourists who swim in the water But some tourists are still stubborn to go into the water where swimming is prohibited. Until causing sometimes the current of the channel to blow out into the sea And unable to help in time, which in the past 2-3 days there have been reports of foreign tourists drowning Despite helping, at least one person later died, prompting calls for clear measures and frightening tourists. Because during the monsoon season, tourists will swim and die every year. Because there is no penalty.-Thai News Agency
Source: Thai News Agency