A 12-year-old has been confirmed as the lone fatality after a fire broke out on a ferry in Thailand carrying 117 passengers.
Shani Maril is said to have gone to the bathroom just before the fire broke out at the stern of the vessel while it travelled from Krabi to the island of Phuket.
According to rescue operators, the fire erupted in the engine room at the back of the ship, close to where the bathroom was located.
There were up to 117 people onboard the Ao Nang Princess, a majority of which are believed to have been tourists.
Saw this last night from #railee beach #krabi #thailand – Tourists jump into sea to escape ferry fire http://t.co/Yb4nBidTJ2
— Brad Fresia (@bradfresia) April 9, 2015
One passenger onboard, Panupon Rattanakornpanya said crew members directed those on the ship to the bow as it burned.
But as the flames grew stronger, people began to panic, which caused many to grab life jackets and jump into the water, the Bangkok Post reported.
“Everyone was in a panic. Some were crying.”
Panupon Rattanakornpanya
The fire then reportedly burned the boat to the waterline before it sank off Krabi’s Noppharat Thara beach.
A member from Thailand’s local maritime office, Vishai Komwong, said boats in close proximity helped rescue the remaining 116 passengers.
BREAKING: 12-year-old Israeli girl killed in boat fire on vacation in Thailand http://t.co/06CS4wJRSY pic.twitter.com/oPkqZa2z6M
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) April 8, 2015
No other injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, authorities are now working to have the 12-year-old’s body flown to Israel.
She was on holidays with her parents to celebrate the Jewish Passover holiday.
