Starfish Wash Up Dead on Phuket's Karon Beach
Hundreds of striped, long-armed starfish were found dead on Phuket's Karon Beach on November 11, prompting widespread speculation online. The stranded starfish were washed back to sea by the rising tide later that day, and authorities have not yet determined the cause of the mass die-off.
Large numbers of starfish with distinctive long arms and alternating dark-and-light stripes washed up dead on Karon Beach, Phuket, on November 11. News outlets reported that early this morning, waves had stranded many starfish on the sand at Karon Beach, Tambon Karon, Mueang District, Phuket. A Facebook user photographed the scene and posted it online, where it drew significant attention and questions about why so many starfish had come ashore and died along the beach. The poster wrote, "Why are starfish coming up dead all over Karon Beach? Strange." Photos showed numerous starfish with long arms and striped patterns scattered across the sand, puzzling observers. Later around midday, as the tide rose and waves pushed ashore, the water carried the stranded starfish back out to sea. After the post spread, netizens commented with speculation such as "Is something wrong underwater?" "Is nature telling us something?" and "Hard to see but still weird." Some suggested sea currents may have pushed the starfish onto the beach. However, as of now there is no confirmed information on what caused the mass stranding and death of starfish at Karon Beach. Thanks to Facebook user Dechapawida Cheu-nak for the photos and information.
