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Tourists watch as luggage is swept into sea; video captures Thai ferry chaos
The incident took place on a ferry ride from Koh Tao to Koh Samui in Thailand.
A tourist said the crew stopped the vessel to retrieve what they could, hauling some cases back on board before a speedboat arrived to collect the rest (Image source: @brutamerica/Instagram)
What was supposed to be a fun trip turned into a harrowing experience for several tourists after a rough ferry ride from Koh Tao to Koh Samui in Thailand washed away their luggage.
Midway through the journey, tourists were stunned to watch their own bags floating away from the boat. The viral video, shared by Brut America, captures a stream of suitcases floating in the middle of the sea after rough waves hit the ferry’s upper deck. Many travellers were reportedly distressed while the crew attempted to retrieve their luggage.
According to news.com.au, the bags had been placed unsecured on the ferry’s upper deck and were washed overboard when conditions worsened. Norman, who was on board, recalled that at one point “the front of the boat was properly submerged.”
He said the crew stopped the vessel to retrieve what they could, hauling some cases back on board before a speedboat arrived to collect the rest, the report said.
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The video quickly drew attention, prompting a sea of reactions. “I would’ve jumped off the boat and got my luggage back,” a user claimed. “Stuff can be recovered and be bought again, lives cannot,” another user commented.
“Wow. I’ve been on this exact ferry route. Thankfully it was much calmer then. Yikes. Glad everyone is ok, sans some luggage I guess,” a third user reacted. “On the bright side, the dolphins have a whole new wardrobe now,” a fourth user said.
The report added that Zamperelli, another passenger, still had not recovered her luggage and that it took “five hours of tears and broken English” to secure the 50,000 baht (AU$2,382) compensation.
The islands off Thailand’s eastern coast are well known for turbulent seas during the May–October rainy season, though conditions can differ significantly between islands. Travellers are advised to research each one individually.
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