Topics: Life, Thailand, World News
Footage shows the final moments of a Russian woman named Kamilla Belyatskaya before she was swept away by the ocean while performing yoga on some nearby rocks.
Aspiring actor Kamilla was on vacation with her boyfriend on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand when she decided to set up her pink yoga mat by the side of the ocean on Friday (November 29).
Kamilla was caught on CCTV footage arriving in a parking lot near the viewpoint shortly before 1pm local time.
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She could be seen taking her pink mat from the trunk before walking down to the viewpoint, and images from the scene showed Kamilla visible on the rocks, sitting on top of the yoga mat.
However, by 1:30pm Bo Phut Police received a report that she had been swept away from the rocks. Onlookers saw Kamilla get hit by a large wave which washed her into the ocean, where she struggled to stay afloat.
One man who saw Kamilla struggling is said to have gone into the water to try and save her, but he was unable to rescue Kamilla.
Rescue workers arrived at the scene approximately 15 minutes later, by which time only Kamilla's pink mat could be seen floating in the water.
After 30 minutes, authorities were forced to temporarily call off the search due to the dangerous conditions.
Chaiyaporn Subprasert, head of the Samui Rescue Center, drew attention to the danger of the ocean at this time of year.
“During monsoon season, we constantly warn tourists, especially at high-risk areas like Chaweng and Lamai beaches, where red flags indicate no swimming,” he said, according to the Khaosad English. “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.”
Prior to the incident, Kamilla, who was just 24 years old, had described Koh Samui island as 'the best place on Earth'.
She also posted her love for the scenic spot on the rocks online, writing: “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!”
After Kamilla was washed into the ocean, her body was found at the weekend approximately two-thirds of a mile from the spot where she had been doing yoga.
