Bangkok, Thailand

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A ferry in the Gulf of Thailand caught fire causing panicked passengers to jump into the sea early on April 4, Thursday. 

All 108 individuals on the vessel, Ko Jaroen 2 survived according to media reports. The ferry runs from Surat Thani province to the popular tourist island of Koh Tao which is 60 miles (100 kilometers) off the coast. The ferry was near its destination when the flames engulfed it at around 7:00 AM.

There were 11 crew members and 97 passengers aboard the ferry. Some passengers suffered minor injuries and faced health issues due to smoke inhalation.

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According to Kritphet Chaichuai, the head of the Marine Department, the local emergency services first received reports of the fire at 6.40 AM local time.

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One passenger, Maitree Promjampa told AP, “We could barely get the life vests in time. It was chaotic. People were weeping … I also teared up.”

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"Several boats came to their rescue about 20 minutes after they called for help, but the boats could not get close to the ferry for fear of explosions. So, people had to jump into the sea to be rescued," he added. "Everyone had to help themselves,” he further said.

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The video of people hurrying out of the ferry’s cabin while putting on life vests, as thick black smoke swept across the ferry is making rounds of social media.

According to the officials, the fire began in the engine and the cause is still not clear. The fire was ultimately brought under control at around 8:20 PM local time and the ferry did not sink.