A barge pontoon moored to the Chao Phraya River bank capsized in Samut Prakan province on Tuesday, leaving two people injured and another person missing and prompting a large search and rescue operation.
The accident occurred at 12.22pm at a company pier opposite soi Suksawat 84 on Suksawat road in Phra Samut Chedi district.
Teams from the Marine Department, Marine Police, Pom Phra Chul disaster relief radio, rescue teams and other agencies were immediately dispatched to assist the victims and search for the missing worker.
Initial reports said two people were injured. One was immediately taken to Paolo Phra Pradaeng Hospital, The other had to be rescued, pulled from the river before being taken to hospital.
One person remained missing, with search efforts continuing.
Authorities said the accident also caused a soil barge to sink, and a pontoon carrying an excavator took on water and listed.
The capsize occurred in an area where dredging was underway, in front of the private pier. Officials were investigating the cause.
The company involved denied reports circulating online that the incident was linked to a hazardous gas pipeline. There was no such pipeline near the site, the company said.
Deputy Transport Minister Sanphet Bunyamanee visited the scene to monitor the situation and instructed the Marine Department and other agencies to provide full assistance to those affected and expedite the rescue operation.
