Koh Samui rescue: French family found after 16 hours adrift

A French family has been rescued after spending more than 16 hours adrift at sea near Koh Samui, Thailand. The group, consisting of a 50-year-old father and his two sons, aged five and seven, was found on Friday morning following a search operation.

The incident began on Thursday afternoon when the family rented a jet ski for a planned 45-minute excursion. Approximately 15 minutes into the ride, the vehicle reportedly capsized due to rough waves, causing the engine to fail. When the family did not return at the scheduled time, the rental operator alerted local authorities.

Search efforts involving speedboats and additional jet skis were initiated but had to be suspended overnight due to heavy seas. Rescuers located the family at approximately 10:00 AM on Friday. Local official Amorn Chomchoey reported that the family members were exhausted and had swallowed significant amounts of seawater, but they were wearing life jackets, which was credited as a key factor in their survival. All three were taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and were discharged shortly after. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the capsize and whether the family had ventured outside of authorized rental zones.