Phuket speedboat explosion kills Thai tour guide, injures 5 others

A Thai tour guide was killed and five crew members injured in a speedboat explosion at Coco Pier in Vichit subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket, at about 11am on March 6. The blast occurred on the vessel Tequila while it was docked for scheduled servicing, authorities said. The incident left 24-year-old guide Khomphet Whandee missing until divers recovered his body from the sunken craft later that afternoon.

Explosion and Immediate Response

CCTV footage captured the moment the Tequila exploded without warning, showing three people scrambling to escape. Volunteer firefighters and rescue workers responded quickly as fire broke out following the blast.

Firefighters towed the burning boat away from the pier to prevent the flames from spreading to other vessels. The speedboat later sank near Koh Taphao Yai, about 10 minutes from Coco Pier.

Injuries, Recovery, and Investigation

Five injured crew members were transported to hospital, with one, Khomkrit Arundate, remaining in critical condition under close medical supervision at Vachira Phuket Hospital. The boat, a twin-engine vessel belonging to Once Yachting Phuket, was undergoing repairs and an engine oil change at the time of the explosion.

Authorities and the company are working to recover the wreck from the seabed as part of the investigation. Early reports suggest a possible fuel system failure or crew actions may have triggered the explosion and fire.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-speedboat-explosion-kills-1-injures-5