Search continues for Chinese tourist missing after being swept into sea in Thailand
Published date: Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:51:39 +0700
Rescuers were searching for a missing Chinese tourist who reportedly drowned after ignoring red flags on a beach in Thailand.
Qin Yuan, 27, went paddling off Karon Beach despite the warnings of dangerous swimming conditions due to the rough sea in Phuket on July 25 evening.
The beach-goer was soon swept by strong waves away from the shoreline.
Police in the Karon district said they were informed by Qin Yuan's friend of his disappearance at 7:26 pm local time.
Lifeguards, police officers, and volunteers launched a search for the tourist, though they were unsuccessful and the operation was called off due to bad weather.
The search resumed on July 26, with naval vessels and a helicopter joining the operation. However, Qin Yuan's body has not been found.
Qin Yuan's girlfriend and relatives were also at the scene observing the search.
Local mayor Jadet Wicharasor said the town had earlier put up signs in English, Russian, Thai, and Chinese on the beach warning tourists not to swim.
The drowning incident comes a week after an Indian tourist also drowned at the same beach.
Kartik Dudi, 20, allegedly defied the weather warnings, but was overwhelmed by the choppy waters on July 20.
Lifeguards were able to rescue him, though he was reported to be in critical condition at the Chalong Hospital.
Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that nine people, including five foreign tourists, have drowned this year in Phuket.
