Concerns have arisen about safety standards at beaches in Phuket, Thailand, after four tourists died in just one week.
At least four people have died in Phuket, Thailand, in a week after being swept away by strong currents, prompting local authorities to impose stricter safety and security measures during the current monsoon season.
Last week, a 68-year-old Swedish man died at Kata Beach while swimming in shallow waters. Additionally, a 28-year-old American national was found by a tour guide on Patong Beach in Phuket.
Meanwhile, a 35-year-old Russian citizen drowned during a nighttime swim with his partner in the Saku area of Phuket. According to local media, the couple had entered the sea when a large wave swept them away. The man pushed his 25-year-old partner to safety, but he himself was swept away by the current.
The next afternoon, two swimmers who were struggling to reach the shore near Kata Beach were rescued by a passerby, who said there was no lifeguard on the beach. Unfortunately, one of the two men succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses told the Thai Examiner that there were no red flags on the beach to warn tourists of the possibility of dangerous waves. The man who pulled the two tourists from the water expressed regret that the victim could have been alive if there were lifeguards on the beach. According to him, the provision of first aid was delayed by about 20 minutes, putting both men at greater risk.
Phuket’s beaches, with their pristine white sand and turquoise waters, continue to attract international tourists despite recent safety concerns. Popular destinations such as Patong, Kata, and Karon welcome thousands of foreign visitors every year.
Earlier in August, a 10-year-old girl from Canada drowned at Kata Beach, a day after her family arrived in Phuket for vacation. According to local media, despite the strong waves, no red warning flags were posted. The child’s body was recovered from the sea after four hours by the rescue team that participated in the search for him, who reported that he likely hit rocks in the sea.
