French family stranded at sea for 16 hours after jet ski capsizes off Thailand

A French father and his two sons, aged five and seven, spent more than 16 hours stranded at sea after the jet ski they had rented capsized off Koh Samui, one of Thailand's most popular tourist islands. Local official Amorn Chomchoey told AFP that the trio appeared pale and exhausted after swallowing large amounts of seawater during their ordeal.

The 50-year-old father had rented the jet ski for a 45-minute ride at around 17:00 local time on Thursday, according to the Bangkok Post. When the vehicle was not returned at the agreed time, rescuers were alerted and a search began.

Teams using speedboats and additional jet skis scoured the waters around Koh Samui and toward the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan. The search had to be paused overnight, resuming the next morning, when the family was finally located still drifting at sea.

The father and his sons were found by rescuers at around 10:00 local time on Friday. He told authorities that rough waves had struck the jet ski, causing its engine to fail near the end of the rental period, the Bangkok Post reported.

Footage of the rescue showed one of the boys perched on the front of the partly submerged jet ski while his father floated nearby, waving at rescuers. Both were wearing life jackets throughout the ordeal.

According to Nation Thailand, the boys' mother and older sister had been waiting anxiously on the beach when the family was brought back safely. All three were taken to hospital for checks but discharged shortly afterwards. Officials told AFP that the family chose to remain in Thailand and continue their holiday.