Investigation launched into Chumphon speed boat explosion

A police investigation has been launched to determine the cause of an explosion on a boat travelling from Chumphon to Koh Tao earlier this week. According to a Phuket Express report, Sathit Kongniamin, chief of Pak Nam Chumphon police, says his officers are in the process of gathering evidence as part of the investigation.

The fire is understood to have started due to an engine explosion but officers are trying to determine what caused the engine to explode. 18 passengers and 2 crew members, including the boat driver, were injured in the incident, with reports of a number of people jumping into the water at the time of the explosion. Most of the passengers were released from hospital after observation.

The vessel, a speedboat owned by Lomprayah High Speed Ferries, exploded around 5 kilometres off the Chumphon coast, at around 2.30pm on Wednesday. It’s understood that the boat was originally travelling on 2 engines and 20 minutes into the trip, the driver turned on a third, at which point the explosion occurred.

Investigating officers are working with the Marine Department to tow the boat to shore, with an expert from Surat Thani called in to help determine the cause of the explosion.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post