Phuket has reported 4 drownings in 5 days, according to a Phuket News report. The latest victims are two Indian men, believed to be tourists, who drowned after going swimming at Karon Beach on Tuesday, August 1.
One of the Indian men is understood to have been 26 years old, with Patong Hospital notifying Chomphunuch Anantayakul of Patong Police of the death at around 8.15pm on August 1. Meanwhile, the death of a second Indian man was reported to Art Payayam of Chalong Police by Chalong Hospital at 9.00pm.
Karon Beach, at this time of the year, has a notorious reputation for dangerous rips that can drag swimmers out to see in a conveyor belt of strong current.
Both men had entered the sea near the Naga Statue at Karon Beach with a group of friends. According to the Phuket News report, both men were then dragged out to sea by a strong rip current. Friends managed to get them out of the water and began performing CPR until rescuers arrived.
The latest deaths follow the drowning of a Thai worker who had only recently arrived on the island and went missing while swimming at Surin Beach on Sunday, July 30. His body was subsequently found washed up on the rocks on Tuesday, August 1.
Last week, a Senegalese man drowned after going swimming at Freedom Beach on Friday, July 28.
Lifeguards have continued to urge people to stay out of the water at beaches where red flags have been posted.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
