Ayutthaya, Thailand – A towboat capsized on the Pa Sak River, sweeping a 21-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant into fast-moving water and prompting an urgent, overnight search by divers and emergency teams.
Accident and immediate response
The accident occurred opposite the Chia Tai Company pier in Nakhon Luang district when the small towboat, the last in a convoy of six, suddenly lost its balance while pulling three ore-laden barges from Wat Phananchoeng Pier to the Jumbo Pier. The boat was operated by 24-year-old Sirawut Phobangwai.
Sirawut survived and told police the vessel “tilted and capsized without warning.” He was unable to prevent his 21-year-old wife, who was seven months pregnant, from being carried away by the river’s strong current.
Local police moved quickly to secure the scene. Officers attached ropes to the sunken boat and, with the help of five other vessels, pulled it closer to shore to avoid blocking navigation in the busy waterway.
Search operation
Divers from the Phutthaisawan Foundation conducted the search, working under difficult conditions. Officials said poor underwater visibility and powerful currents significantly hampered recovery efforts.
Rescue teams continued to search after dark, with specialist divers rotating shifts and using modern equipment to examine the riverbed. “We will search until we find her,” an operation commander promised, describing a coordinated effort to deploy every available resource while maintaining safety for other river traffic.
Authorities said they had requested additional divers and specialised gear to expand the search area at first light. However, they cautioned that the chances of a successful rescue diminished as hours passed.
Family and community reaction
The husband, Sirawut, faced a traumatic wait as the search went on. Neighbours and residents in the area quickly learned of the accident and gathered, anxious for news of the missing woman and her unborn child.
Local leaders expressed sympathy and said the community was supporting the family while emergency services pursued the search around the clock.
Broader safety concerns
Officials noted that accidents on Thailand’s rivers are not uncommon and this incident has reignited questions about river safety, particularly for commercial and towing operations during periods of strong flow.
The Pa Sak River can present hazardous conditions, and emergency responders said this event underscored the challenges of operating on inland waterways. Authorities coordinated efforts to keep the channel safe for other vessels while conducting recovery operations.
Next steps
Rescue teams planned to intensify the search at first light, widening the area and bringing in additional equipment. For now, hopes remained that the missing woman might be found, but officials warned the situation was increasingly time-sensitive.
The investigation into the cause of the capsize was ongoing, and local police said they would compile findings after the search concluded to determine whether further action or safety measures were needed.