Muslim pilgrim boat capsizes in Thailand, at least 15 dead
Yvette C. Hammett and Shawn Price

At least 13 people are dead and many more missing after their
ferry hit a bridge, then capsized in Ayutthaya, Thailand Sunday. Photo
from Google Maps
At least 15
people are dead after a pilgrim boat carrying a mostly Muslim crowd hit a
bridge and capsized Sunday in the Thai city of Ayutthaya.
Another 46 people have been injured in the
incident, eight remain in critical condition. Crews are searching for 10
people still missing, Ayutthaya government spokesperson Prayoon
Rattanasenee said early Monday.
Authorities said six women, six men, and a
young boy are known victims. Details on the others are not known. All of
the passengers were Thai Muslims.
The double-deck boat was traveling along the
Chao Phraya River about 4 p.m. with 150 people on board when the crash
occurred near the Wat Sanam Chai temple, a popular tourist destination.
Passengers were traveling back to Nonthaburi, a suburb of Bangkok, after
attending an Islamic event, the Bangkok Post reported.
Sornsak Sansombat, director-general of the
Marine Department, said the river's current was strong at the time of
the crash. He said police have detained the ferry's captain to question
him.
Both car and boat accidents are common in
Thailand due to safety standards that are far less strict than those in
many international locations.
The Chao Phraya --river the boat was traveling -- is a busy commuter waterway and is often packed with boats.
Muslim pilgrim boat capsizes in Thailand, at least 15 dead
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