Fisherman Missing After Rescue Attempt in Rough Seas
A fisherman went missing in rough seas off Phetchaburi after jumping in to rescue his wife, who was recovered and hospitalized; search operations suspended overnight due to dangerous conditions.
Police received a report at 20:37 on July 9, 2025, that two fishermen had been swept from their boat and were missing approximately 5 nautical miles offshore in Phetchaburi's Ban Laem district. A water rescue team from the Sawaeng Sappaya Tham Foundation was deployed. When rescuers arrived at Khlong Ee-ed pier, they found that family members had already launched a larger fishing vessel to help. The rescue team transferred the injured woman, 49, to shore and transported her to Ban Laem Hospital. Her husband, also 49, remained missing.
The couple had set out that morning at 3 a.m. to fish. By afternoon, when they hadn't returned, relatives set out searching and found their boat adrift with the wife clinging to a buoy in distress. According to the wife's account, she fell overboard and her husband jumped in to help, giving her the buoy before swimming back toward their drifting boat. Due to severe waves and wind, he was swept away and disappeared underwater.
Rescue teams from the Sawaeng Sappaya Tham Foundation suspended underwater and diving search operations at 22:45 due to dangerous conditions, high waves, and darkness that posed risks to personnel. Search efforts are planned to resume the following day.
