THIS is the horror moment a tourist ferry packed with holidaymakers sank off the coast of a Brit holiday hotspot.
Footage shows the half-submerged ferry listing as a rescue boat rushed to evacuate passengers and crew.
The boat was carrying 92 holidaymakers near Thailand when it was struck by large waves – causing it to sink.
The impact reportedly fractured the hull, sending water rushing into the boat.
The Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre scrambled to save those on board at 12:25 pm local time.
Local media reported that all 92 tourists and five crew members onboard were rescued safely.
Thailand’s seas are rough in November and December at the culmination of the annual monsoon season.
However, tourist operators often take vessels out in dangerous conditions.
A tourist boat carrying 18 people capsized in July this year, leading to the death of a tour guide.
One of the worst tragedies unfolded in July 2018, when a boat carrying 89 tourists capsized during a storm off the coast of Phuket. Forty-seven Chinese tourists died.
The fallout from the incident sparked a de facto boycott from the Chinese tourists, which Thailand is yet to fully recover from.
It comes just days after a day trip catamaran sank in the Caribbean – leaving dozens of cruise passengers floundering in the sea.
The boat – carrying passengers from the Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship – went down off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
Footage shows people bobbing around in the water – reportedly 55 in all – as the Dominican Navy arrived to rescue them.
Seamen were seen tossing life rings to the stricken passengers before hauling them to safety.
Only the light blue tip of the boat could be seen poking above the surface, with the rest of the vessel submerged beneath the water.
Boca de Yuma – a 40ft catamaran – had been taking the group on a sightseeing day trip after setting off from the port in Embat.
With a full load, it began taking on water and then sank rapidly, according to local media reports.
Authorities said the boat sustained “internal hull damage”, which caused the catastrophic leak.
The crew sent out an emergency call, and local rescuers were quickly dispatched to the scene.
Thankfully, all the passengers were wearing life jackets and made it out unscathed.
