Indian tourist rescued after ignoring warning flags to swim in choppy sea

An Indian tourist was rescued after ignoring red flags to go swimming at a beach in Thailand.

The holidaymaker, identified by police as Kartik Dudi, 20, reportedly disregarded the weather warnings to go paddling, but drowned in the choppy sea off Karon Beach in Phuket on July 20 afternoon.

Police Major Ekkasak Khwanwan of the Karon Police Station said police were alerted about the emergency at 1:20 pm.

They arrived to find lifeguards surrounding the unconscious tourist. Medics performed CPR and rushed Kartik to the Chalong Hospital, where he was reported to still be in critical condition.

Lifeguards said Kartik had ignored red flags and signages warning tourists of dangerous swimming conditions.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.