 Terrified passengers have leapt into the sea to escape a fire ferry traveling to a popular tourist destination off the coast of Thailand. The vessel from Surathani province was about to arrive at Kotao when a passenger suddenly heard a crackling sound and smelled smoke. Mithri Pramjampa said he saw billowing smoke and fire less than five minutes later, and that was when people started shouting and rang the alarm. We could barely get the life vests in time, he told the Associated Press. It was chaotic. People were weeping, I also teared up. All 108 people on board, of which 97 were passengers, were safe, officials said. Footage showed huge plumes of black smoke billowing from the ferry, with vehicles and families including young children on board, and several boats going to their rescue. People could be seen hurrying out of the ferry's cabin while putting on life jackets, as thick black smoke swept across the vessel and it became engulfed in flames. Mithri, a Surathani resident who often travels to Kotao for work, said several boats came to their rescue around 20 minutes after they called for help, but the boats could not get close to the ferry out of fear of explosions. He said people had to jump into the sea to be rescued. Everyone had to help themselves, he said. The ferry from Surathani to Kotao carries both commuters and tourists. Kotao was about 100 kilometers from the coast. That's where the ferry came. You should do your best to take the next boat. Okay! Next boat is on its way now. By the time it's already arrive, take the next boat. You should do your best to take the next boat. Now I'm ready to send help for the ferry. The ferry is now leaving. You