Father and young sons rescued after 16 hours stranded off Thai island

A French father and his two young sons have been rescued after a harrowing ordeal, spending more than 16 hours stranded at sea off the Thai resort island of Koh Samui. The family rented a jet ski on Thursday afternoon, but it capsized shortly after due to what the father described as rough waves.

Rescuers launched a frantic search after the rental operator alerted authorities when the family failed to return. The search, which included speedboats and other jet skis, was suspended overnight and resumed Friday morning. The group was eventually found clinging to the partially submerged jet ski, with the two boys, aged 5 and 7, and their 50-year-old father visibly exhausted and pale.

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Calm down

Footage of the rescue showed one of the boys sitting atop the jet ski while his father floated nearby, both wearing life jackets. Rescuers were heard reassuring them they had survived. The father, who identified himself as an experienced jet ski driver, reported that the vehicle's engine stopped after the rough waves struck. Investigators are examining the incident, with initial reports suggesting the family may have ventured outside the designated rental area.

Despite their ordeal, the father and sons were medically cleared after being taken to a local hospital for checks, having swallowed a significant amount of seawater. The family, whose mother and older sister had been waiting on the beach, is reportedly continuing their holiday. Koh Samui is a popular destination known for its calm seas and family-friendly resorts.

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They survived