Casablanca – Thai authorities found the body of 24-year-old Moroccan national Ezzakani Othmane, on Kata Noi Beach at around 6 a.m. local time, according to Thai media. His friend, 22-year-old Mohamed Bourhim, later identified the body. Kata Noi Beach lies around 1.5 kilometers south of Karon Beach.
Ezzakani disappeared on Monday after he and Bourhim encountered difficulties while swimming at Karon Beach. According to MGR Online, people on the beach alerted lifeguard Anurat Bualoi at around 6:40 p.m. after seeing the two tourists struggling in the water.
Bualoi entered the sea and rescued Bourhim, but strong currents swept Ezzakani away.
Bourhim told Thai authorities that he and Ezzakani had arrived at Karon Beach at around 6 p.m. that day. He had arrived in Phuket on September 11 and stayed at a hotel in the Karon area.
Police from Karon Police Station later coordinated with local agencies to search for Ezzakani. The Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation joined the operation, with rescue teams searching the sea and surrounding areas on Tuesday. Thai media reported that the search continued through the afternoon.
Karon Beach has faced repeated drowning incidents in recent years. Figures compiled by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation show that 20 people died in drowning incidents at Karon Beach between 2024 and 2026, the highest number recorded at any beach on the island during that period.
The beach also faces stronger sea conditions during Phuket’s southwest monsoon season, which runs through the wetter months of the year. Local safety guidance warns that Karon can develop strong and unpredictable rip currents during this period.
Thai authorities will now coordinate with the Moroccan Embassy on the necessary procedures and arrangements concerning Ezzakani’s remains, according to The Phuket News.
