TERRIFYING footage shows a tourist ferry getting filled with water sending Brits on board scrambling to safety.
The boat was packed with 120 tourists when it reportedly struck a rock and capsized while on its way to the historic city of Luang Prabang in Laos.
A boat full of tourists, sinking on the Mekong River in LaosCredit: SWNS
Horrifying footage shows tourists screaming for help as a ferry in Laos sinks after hitting a rockCredit: SWNS
Footage from the inside show the boat was filled with water before it capsizedCredit: SWNS
The impact caused the ferry to tilt sharply before taking on water near Tam Ting Cave in Pak Ou District, a popular stretch of the river for tourists.
Terrified passengers were seen climbing onto the roof of the stricken vessel.
They were rescued by a passing barge and nearby boats.
Footage showed how the tourists were forced to leap from windows during what they described as an “extremely scary” incident.
Londoners James Harrington and Yma Ziranek Wilson, both 31, were on board the boat when it ran into trouble.
Yma – who captured the footage – can be heard shouting “babe” from the roof of the boat as her partner James treads water while trying desperately to keep hold of their luggage.
James, an asset manager, said: “It was extremely scary.
“At first we were in disbelief that we’d broken down. Then the boat started filling with water.
“That’s when everyone realised we were sinking.
“At one point it [the water] got up to my knees, and I’m 6ft 1in.
“We were screaming for help to other passing boats that were coming by and the second one realised we were in distress and came to aid us.
Backpackers from the UK, , the and were among those on board.
Authorities in the country have opened a probe into the incident.
It comes after another tourist ferry packed with holidaymakers .
Terrified passengers were seen climbing onto the roof of the stricken vessel,Credit: SWNS
They were rescued by a passing barge and nearby boatsCredit: SWNS
Footage shows the half-submerged ferry listing as a rescue boat rushed to evacuate passengers and crew.
The boat was carrying 92 holidaymakers near Thailand when it was struck by large waves – causing it to sink.
The impact reportedly fractured the hull, sending water rushing into the boat.
It comes just days after a day trip catamaran sank in the Caribbean – leaving .
The boat – carrying passengers from the Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship – went down off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
Footage shows people bobbing around in the water – reportedly 55 in all – as the Dominican Navy arrived to rescue them.
Seamen were seen tossing life rings to the stricken passengers before hauling them to safety.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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