A 24-year-old Russian tourist was swept away by a powerful wave on Friday at a popular viewpoint in Koh Samui, Thailand. The incident occurred near the rocky area below Laad Koh viewpoint, located in Moo 6, Bo Phut District, Surat Thani Province.
Kamilla Beliatskaya was seen struggling in the water, but rescue efforts were hindered by dangerous sea conditions, with waves reaching heights of 2 to 3 meters. Jet ski operators had already pulled their vehicles from the beach earlier that day due to the hazardous weather.
CCTV footage reviewed by police showed that Beliatskaya arrived at the viewpoint parking lot in a red car at 12:57 p.m. She was seen taking a pink foam mat from her trunk before walking alone toward the rocky area below. Shortly after, she was swept off the rocks by a strong wave. Rescue teams arrived about 15 minutes later, but by then, the tourist had disappeared. Only her pink foam mat was seen floating in the water. The search operation was temporarily halted after 30 minutes due to worsening wave conditions.
Chaiyaporn Subprasert, head of the Samui Rescue Center, noted that warning systems were in place on the island’s beaches. “During the monsoon season, we consistently warn tourists, especially in high-risk areas like Chaweng and Lamai beaches, where red flags indicate no swimming,” he said. “Though the incident occurred at a viewpoint, not a swimming area, the victim may have been caught off guard by the sudden surge of the wave.”
In response to the incident, the Samui City Municipality has closed access to the rocky area below Laad Koh viewpoint. Authorities have also set up a marine search and rescue center to coordinate ongoing efforts to locate the missing tourist.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of monsoon conditions, and authorities are urging visitors to exercise extreme caution and avoid rocky coastal areas during periods of high waves.
