Nine terrified British tourists were rescued from their burning yacht after it was struck by lightning in a deadly tropical storm.
The four couples and one other were onboard the 50ft chartered catamaran off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, when they were caught in storms at 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon.
Police said they cowered below deck as the deadly seas rocked the vessel and thunder sounded overhead.
A lightning bolt then ripped down from the sky and shattered the boat.
Flames tore through the upmarket Beneteau vessel named Emmjay as a passing fishing boat raced to help the stricken crew and holidaymakers - four married couples and one other British woman.
Police received a May Day call at around 5pm and coastguards were dispatched to the scene near the Thalang district.
Footage shows the boat burning to a wreckage after the holidaymakers had been hauled to safety.
The tourists onboard were named as: Kelvin Atkinson, 65, and Susan Atkinson, 64; Catherine Toy, 64, and Stewart Toy, 66; William Tennant, 65, and Lilias Tennant, 68; Anne Anderson, 63, and Martin Anderson, 59; and Magret Hamilton, 64.
Marine Chief Wiwat Chitchertwong said all the holidaymakers had been safely rescued.
He said: ''Police were notified art 5pm that there was heavy rain and lightning that struck the boat. This caused a fire.
''People were already sheltering downstairs in the boat to shelter from the rain when the lightning struck.''
Lieutenant Colonel Brapan Chanprakon added: ''There were nine passengers on board and assisted by fishing ships they landed safely.''
The four couples and one other were onboard the 50ft chartered catamaran off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, when they were caught in storms at 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon.
Police said they cowered below deck as the deadly seas rocked the vessel and thunder sounded overhead.
A lightning bolt then ripped down from the sky and shattered the boat.
Flames tore through the upmarket Beneteau vessel named Emmjay as a passing fishing boat raced to help the stricken crew and holidaymakers - four married couples and one other British woman.
Police received a May Day call at around 5pm and coastguards were dispatched to the scene near the Thalang district.
Footage shows the boat burning to a wreckage after the holidaymakers had been hauled to safety.
The tourists onboard were named as: Kelvin Atkinson, 65, and Susan Atkinson, 64; Catherine Toy, 64, and Stewart Toy, 66; William Tennant, 65, and Lilias Tennant, 68; Anne Anderson, 63, and Martin Anderson, 59; and Magret Hamilton, 64.
Marine Chief Wiwat Chitchertwong said all the holidaymakers had been safely rescued.
He said: ''Police were notified art 5pm that there was heavy rain and lightning that struck the boat. This caused a fire.
''People were already sheltering downstairs in the boat to shelter from the rain when the lightning struck.''
Lieutenant Colonel Brapan Chanprakon added: ''There were nine passengers on board and assisted by fishing ships they landed safely.''
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