A flash flood killed six German tourists and their two Thai guides late Saturday while exploring a cave at a national park in southern Thailand, police said.
A heavy rainfall sent water surging through the 500-metre-deep cave in Khao Sok national park in Surathani province, said police Lt.-Col. Pichan Kanayasiri.
"The tourists were inside the cave and didn't know what was happening outside," he said. "They were trapped inside the cave."
Rescue teams worked through the night trying to save the group.
Among the German victims were three women, two men and a 10-year-old boy. A British woman who was part of the tour group survived.
A Belgian tourist was killed by a flash flood in the same cave several years ago, Pichan said.
The province's governor, Winai Phopradit, said he had ordered the national park closed during the rainy season.
"We have signs both in English and Thai warning tourists not to go into the cave during heavy rains," he said.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- MacKay says submarine fleet has "spotty" history
- The ongoing maintenance for Canada's troubled submarine fleet is "on track" despite the damage suffered by HMCS Corner Brook from a crash last year, Defence Minister Peter MacKay says,adding that the history of the fleet is "spotty." more »
- What to get your special someone on Valentine's Day
- For those looking for a last-minute Valentine's Day gift, here are some ideas — from the traditional to the outlandish. more »
- Sperm donor anonymity case moves to B.C. Appeal Court
- The B.C. government hopes to retain the anonymity of sperm donors as it launches a high-court appeal of a ruling last year won by a woman who wanted to know the identity of her father. more »
Latest World News Headlines
- U.S. gets 1st hard look at future China leader
- Washington gets its first hard look Tuesday at Xi Jinping, the man destined to lead China in the coming decade, during which the global powers probably will see their economic ties grow. more »
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Pop star Whitney Houston's funeral service will be held Saturday in the New Jersey church where she first showcased her singing talents as a child. more »
- Nortel hit by suspected Chinese cyberattacks for a decade
- Hackers based in China enjoyed widespread access to Nortel's computer network for nearly a decade, according to a report. more »
- Underwear bomber's lawyer calls life sentence cruel
- A mandatory life sentence for a Nigerian man who tried to blow up a Detroit-bound plane is cruel and unfair, a defence attorney said as he asked a judge to declare the punishment unconstitutional. more »
Dispatches »
- Syrian refugees' defiance and division Feb. 13, 2012 4:06 PM With the deadly game in Syria changing almost daily, CBC's Derek Stoffel in Turkey met militant refugees who reflect the division in the rebel forces about whether to go it alone or wait for the international community to back them against the current regime.
Connect Newsroom Blog
Siege in Syria, Ship Rescue & The Pickton Inquiry Feb. 13, 2012 8:09 PM We'll talk to a Syrian-American doctor tonight about whether the Assad regime is using medicine as a weapon.
- Online surveillance critics accused of supporting child porn
- HMCS Corner Brook collision damage extensive
- Whitney Houston's funeral to be held Saturday
- Mooning Queen proves costly for Australian man
- Mandatory gun sentence struck down by Ontario judge
- Stanley Cup rioter seen in brick attack on cop
- Whitney Houston estate value set to soar
- Man pleads guilty to murder of stepdaughter, 17
- Teen's Facebook post prompts dad to shoot computer
