A 24-year-old aspiring Russian actress was swept away to her death by a huge wave while visiting a popular tourist destination in Thailand last week.
Kamilla Belyatskaya and her boyfriend were vacationing on the island of Koh Samui when the tragedy occurred on Nov 29. At the time, Belyatskaya was attempting to practice yoga near a rocky area below Lad Koh View Point, a coastal area offering panoramic seaside views. In CCTV footage that has since been posted online, the brunette can be seen arriving in a red car at the parking lot near the viewpoint and taking a pink yoga mat out of the trunk at 12:57 p.m.
In subsequent footage taken about a half hour later, Belyatskaya can be seen meditating before she was suddenly swept away by the massive wave. According to Bangkok's Khaosad English news website, Bo Phut Police Station received the initial report that she had been swept into the water at 1:30 p.m.
Hình ảnh cuối của nữ du khách tập yoga trên mỏm đá trước khi bị sóng cuốn
— South of Vietnam (@vincent31473580) December 1, 2024
Một nữ du khách Nga 24 tuổi đã bị sóng cuốn xuống biển khi tập yoga trên mỏm đá tại điểm ngắm cảnh Lad Koh, đảo Koh Samui, Thái Lan vào ngày 29-11. pic.twitter.com/7VYbwevCzM
Beliatskaya was last seen by bystanders struggling in the water, and eventually, all that could be seen of her was her pink mat floating in the water. The Daily Mail reports that one man attempted to wade in and save her, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Hazardous conditions likewise hampered further rescue efforts, as the search operation had to temporarily suspended due to waves of up to three meters.
Sadly, Beliatskaya's body was found washed up two days later on Dec. 1 about six kilometers up the coast at the island's busy Chaweng Beach.
"I love Samui so much. But this place, this rocky beach is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Thank you, universe, for me being here right now. I’m very happy. I’m happy!" Belyatskaya reportedly wrote on social media before she died.
Chaiyaporn Subprasert, head of the Samui Rescue Center, said that warning systems had been in place across the island due to the dangerous conditions.
"During monsoon season, we constantly warn tourists, especially at high-risk areas like Chaweng and Lamai beaches, where red flags indicate no swimming," Chaiyaporn said in a statement. "While the incident location isn’t a swimming area but rather a viewpoint for scenery, the victim may have been caught off guard by the unexpected wave surge."
