French Family Rescued After 16 Hours Adrift Off Koh Samui

Koh samui: A French family was rescued after drifting for more than 16 hours off the coast of the Thai island of Koh Samui, where their jet ski had capsized, a local official told AFP on Saturday. According to France24.com, the 50-year-old father and his two sons, aged five and seven, were taken to hospital for checks after their overnight ordeal but were discharged shortly afterwards, as stated by local government official Amorn Chomchoey. "We found them exhausted after swallowing a lot of seawater," he said, noting that the boys appeared particularly pale. The father had rented a jet ski from a local operator on Koh Samui, a popular resort island in the Gulf of Thailand, at around 5 PM on Thursday. Concerns arose when the family failed to return at the agreed time, prompting the operator to alert local rescuers and provincial authorities, Amorn explained. They were eventually found at around 10 AM on Friday. Investigators are currently examining the reasons behind the jet ski's capsizing after operating for just over 15 minutes, as reported by Amorn's secretary, who also serves as a translator. The father informed officials of his experience as a jet ski driver, but the jet ski operator told local media that the family seemed to have ventured beyond the designated area specified in the rental contract. Footage of the rescue shared by the Koh Samui district office depicted the jet ski nearly fully submerged, with only its triangular front section visible above the water. One of the boys was seen sitting atop the jet ski while his father floated nearby, both equipped with life jackets. A rescuer was heard shouting "calm down" and "they survived" before assisting the boy onto another boat and offering the family water. Despite the incident, the family chose to continue their holiday in Thailand, officials confirmed. Koh Samui remains a favored destination for families, thanks to its calm seas and diverse range of resorts, attracting millions of visitors each year.