A French family has been rescued from the sea after floating for 16 hours on a capsized jet ski off the coast of Thailand. Brahim Terki, 50, and his sons, Maheiddine, 12, and Ilyes, 9, were found five miles off Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui on Friday.
Video footage of the rescue shows the family clinging to the overturned jet ski. One rescuer from the Wat Plai Leam Rescue Foundation could be heard telling them to stay calm as their boat approached. The family was taken to Bangkok Hospital Samui but was discharged shortly after, according to local official Amorn Chomchoey.
'We found them exhausted after swallowing a lot of seawater,' Chomchoey said. 'They were pale, especially the boys.'
Mr. Terki had rented the jet ski on Koh Samui around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. When the family failed to return at the agreed time, the rental operator alerted local authorities. An initial search at 6:00 p.m. was unsuccessful, and a larger operation began later that evening.
Rescue boats and jet skis searched the waters off Koh Samui, but the operation was suspended at 1:00 a.m. due to rough conditions. The search resumed, and the family was finally rescued around 10:00 a.m. on Friday.
Investigators are looking into the cause of the capsizing, which reportedly occurred less than 20 minutes after the family began their ride. Mr. Terki told authorities that rough waves caused the jet ski's engine to cut out, leaving them stranded. A secretary for Mr. Chomchoey stated that Mr. Terki identified himself as an experienced jet ski driver.
However, the jet ski operator told local media that the family appeared to have traveled outside the area specified in the rental contract.
The family remained in Thailand to continue their holiday after being discharged from the hospital. Koh Samui is a popular tourist destination known for its calm seas and resorts.