Young Myanmar dies in Thai ferry fire, body recovered after three days

A young Myanmar national died in a ferry fire on Koh Tao, also known as the turtle island of Thailand on Thursday.

The deceased, identified as Maung Chit Naing Aung, was 18-year-old and he hailed from Myeik township under Tanintharyi region of Myanmar.

On 4 April, a ferry carrying 108 passengers from Surat Thani to Koh Tao caught fire about three nautical miles away which prompted the passengers to jump into the sea to escape.

 
Soon after the ferry caught fire, the rescue boats from Koh Tao arrived and all passengers were saved, reported by Bangkok Post newspaper.

However, three days after the ferry fire, on 7 April at around 3:30 pm, a fishing boat recovered the body of Maung Chit Naing Aung.

"During the ferry fire, life jackets were offered to the girls and children as a priority. Even the foreigners were given the priority. There were only 50 life jackets available against 108 people on the ferry. My brother did not know how to swim," said Maung Chit Naing Aung's older sister.

It’s assumed that a number of  Myanmarese were in the ferry that caught fire on Thursday. The video clippings of the fire spread on social media platforms quickly.

Maung Chit Naing Aung was scheduled to be cremated in Koh Tao on Monday, informed the family members.