An overcrowded tourist ferry capsized and sank between Lan Island and the popular Thai seaside town Pattaya, killing six people and leaving about a dozen more hurt – Roughly 200 tourists had to be rescued from the Bay of Bangkok.

Shortly after the double-decker ferry departed on the 30-minute return trip from Lan Island, an engine problem caused passengers on the first deck to rush to the second deck, causing the ferry to flip on its side and eventually sink.

“Witnesses said there were neither enough tubes nor life vests on the ferry. Some of those who cannot swim had to cling on to coolers or ice containers until rescuers came,” said police colonel Suwan Cheawnavinthavat.

The foreigners who died were two Russians and a Chinese tourists – the other three were from locals from Thailand.  The boat was cleared for about 130 – 150 passengers, so crowding 200 people on board was way over the limit. 

Pattaya is about 100 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, and has had several fatal boat accidents this year.  Last month an Indian tourist celebrating her wedding anniversary was killed in a parasailing accident off the town's coast. In August, two Chinese tourists were killed in a speedboat accident.