Family stranded at sea for 16 hours after jet ski capsized in Thailand

What the report says

A French father and his two young sons were rescued off Thailand’s Koh Samui after spending more than 16 hours adrift on a rented jet ski, according to BBC World News. The family had set out for a short ride on Thursday evening local time, but the jet ski capsized after rough waves were said to have struck it and the engine stopped near the end of the rental period.

Thai officials and local media said rescuers were alerted when the jet ski was not returned on time. Search teams used speedboats and additional jet skis to sweep the waters around Koh Samui and toward nearby Koh Phangan, but operations were paused overnight before the family was located the next morning. Authorities said the father and boys were found exhausted and had swallowed seawater, though they were able to be brought back safely.

The three were taken to hospital for checks and discharged shortly afterward. BBC World News reported that the mother and older sister were waiting on shore when the rescue team returned the family. The incident highlights the risks of small watercraft in changing sea conditions around a major tourist destination, where local rescue responses may depend on timely reporting and favorable weather.