An actress was swept away by a giant wave while exercising on her yoga mat on a popular tourist island in Thailand.
Kamilla Belyatskaya, 24, was swept away from the beauty spot on Koh Sumui just moments after filming herself on her pink yoga mat overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.
Harrowing images showed Kamila in the churning sea after being hit by a large wave and washed into the foaming water.
A bystander reportedly went into the waves to save her, but without success. His fate is unknown.
The mat was later seen floating in the violent seas off Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s most popular islands.
The tourist from Russia’s third largest city Novosibirsk had visited Thailand’s second largest island with her boyfriend, it is understood.
She had gone to the Lad Ko view point to watch the waves, apparently on her own to practice for the view.
She had told her followers on social media how much she loved the place and repeatedly returned to the island, which she called “home” and “the best place on earth.”
Kamilla Belyatskaya, an amateur actress, had traveled to the Thai spot for exercise
She was seen sitting on her yoga mat as the waves grew stronger
Footage showed a figure in the water as loud waves crashed overhead
She had gone to Lad Ko view point to watch the waves and was seen nearby in a red car.
She grabbed a pink foam mat from the trunk of her car before walking to the beautiful spot that offers panoramic views of the island.
Video showed her figure floating in the water as strong currents violently twisted the water and crashed waves above her head.
Rescue teams were also hampered by the rough seas.
Although they arrived just 15 minutes after she was swept into the sea, there was nothing they could do to save her.
Kamila had previously posted about the beauty spot: “I love Samui so much. But this place, this rocky beach, is the best thing I have ever seen in my life.
“Thank you, universe, for having me here now. I’m very happy. I’m happy!’
Her boyfriend and eyewitnesses gave statements to local police about the tragedy.
“The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by monsoon conditions, with authorities urging visitors to exercise extreme caution and avoid rocky coastal areas during periods of high waves,” a Thai report said.
Thailand is becoming increasingly popular among Russian tourists, including men trying to avoid being forced to take part in Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine.
Kamila had been sitting on the rocks, apparently meditating, as the water became more violent
Kamila is said to have gone to the rocks alone to practice on her yoga mat
Moments earlier, she had spoken to her followers about how happy she was to be there
The pink yoga mat was later spotted on the rocks after Kamila disappeared beneath the waves
Authorities arrived 15 minutes later, but their rescue efforts were hampered by the current
About 1.48 million people visited Thailand last year.
Chaiyaporn Subprasert, head of the Samui Rescue Center, said warning systems were in place on the island’s beaches.
‘During the monsoon season, we continuously warn tourists, especially in high-risk areas such as Chaweng and Lamai beaches, where red flags indicate no swimming.
‘Although the incident location is not a swimming area, but rather a scenic viewpoint, the victim may have been caught off guard by the unexpected wave action.’
Local authorities have set up a maritime search and rescue center to coordinate ongoing efforts to locate the missing tourist and the man who allegedly went in to rescue her.