Dozens of tourists were injured in a horror speedboat crash in Thailand while returning to Phuket from a day trip in the idyllic Phi Phi islands just before sunset on Wednesday evening (May 17). The captain allegedly fell asleep and rammed into a concrete post.

The group screamed in terror when the vessel named Thanathip Marine 555 smashed into a concrete marker 700 metres from the shore at around 5.30 pm.

Coastguards pulled the wounded tourists - many of them covered in deep wounds - to safety before they were rushed to different hospitals on the island.

The rescue operation concluded at 7.25 pm, but a team remained at the Chalong Pier as officers said they were uncertain if a tourist had fallen overboard.

Police are now probing claims the boat operator, Prapas Kullabas, 50, nodded off causing the crash.

Shaken Thai passenger Praphas said: "I don't know how the crash happened. The boat was driving normally, and suddenly there was a loud noise that jolted us".

Authorities said 37 people were wounded. Six of them were severely injured with broken limbs, 16 had "moderate injuries", while 15 more had "mild or minor" injuries.

The injured passengers were rushed to different hospitals in Phuket and were each entitled to 15,000 baht ($440) insurance.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew said the foreign embassies have been informed to provide assistance to the crash victims.

He said: "The injured passengers were 21 Russians, nine Kazakhs, a Hong Kong citizen, a Chinese tourist, a Ukrainian, and four Thai locals.

"Ten of them were admitted to the Vachira Phuket Hospital, nine were sent to the Dibuk Hospital, five to the Bangkok Hospital Siriroj, two to the Bangkok Hospital Phuket, five to the Mission Hospital Phuket, and two to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation Hospital".

Initial investigations found that the boat driver, who was among the seriously injured, allegedly dozed off, causing the collision. Police have already tested his blood alcohol level and were waiting for the results.

Chalong police officers said they will conduct a deeper probe into the crash.

Dozens of tourists were injured in a horror speedboat crash when the captain allegedly fell asleep and then rammed into a concrete post.

The holidaymakers had been on a day trip to the idyllic Phi Phi islands in Thailand when they were returning to Phuket just before sunset on Wednesday evening.

However, the group screamed in terror when the vessel named Thanathip Marine 555 smashed into a concrete marker 700 metres from the shore at around 5:30pm.

Coastguards pulled the wounded tourists - many of them covered in deep wounds - to safety before they were rushed to different hospitals on the island.

The rescue operation concluded at 7:25pm, but a team remained at the Chalong Pier as officers said they were uncertain if a tourist had fallen overboard.

Police are now probing claims the boat operator, Prapas Kullabas, 50, nodded off causing the crash.

Shaken Thai passenger Praphas said: 'I don't know how the crash happened. The boat was driving normally, and suddenly there was a loud noise that jolted us.'

Authorities said 37 people were wounded. Six of them were severely injured with broken limbs, 16 had 'moderate injuries', while 15 more had 'mild or minor' injuries.

The injured passengers were rushed to different hospitals in Phuket and were each entitled to 15,000 baht ($440) insurance.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew said the foreign embassies have been informed to provide assistance to the crash victims.

He said: 'The injured passengers were 21 Russians, nine Kazakhs, a Hong Kong citizen, a Chinese tourist, a Ukrainian, and four Thai locals.

'Ten of them were admitted to the Vachira Phuket Hospital, nine were sent to the Dibuk Hospital, five to the Bangkok Hospital Siriroj, two to the Bangkok Hospital Phuket, five to the Mission Hospital Phuket, and two to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation Hospital.'

Initial investigations found that the boat driver, who was among the seriously injured, allegedly dozed off, causing the collision. Police have already tested his blood alcohol level and were waiting for results.

Chalong police officers said they will conduct a deeper probe into the crash.