A young woman, pursuing a career in acting, tragically lost her life when a massive wave engulfed her as she practiced yoga on a cliffside during her holiday in Thailand, according to local sources. Kamilla Belyatskaya, a 24-year-old Russian native, was caught on camera as the wave swept her off the cliff on the island of Koh Samui, situated on the Gulf of Thailand. Belyatskaya was in the midst of a meditation session on her pink yoga mat when the incident occurred.
Belyatskaya was vacationing in Thailand with her boyfriend when the unexpected wave struck on Friday afternoon. The video footage revealed her struggle against the powerful currents before she was overcome by the churning waters. A bystander attempted to rescue her but was unsuccessful. The current status of the would-be rescuer remains unknown.
Prior to the incident, Belyatskaya had expressed her love for the scenic spot on her social media, referring to it as her “home” and “the best place on earth.” She had been seen earlier that day arriving at the Lad Ko viewpoint in a red car. She then proceeded to the rocky area where she unrolled her pink yoga mat.
Rescue teams arrived at the scene approximately 15 minutes after the incident. However, the high waves, some reaching up to 9 feet, impeded their efforts to reach her. Only her pink yoga mat remained visible on the cliff after she was swept away. Her body was later discovered two-thirds of a mile from the location of her drowning.
Chaiyaporn Subprasert, the head of the Samui Rescue Centre, stated that warning systems were in place across the island’s beaches to alert tourists of potential dangers related to swimming and coastal conditions. “During monsoon season, we constantly warn tourists, especially in high-risk areas like Chaweng and Lamai beaches, where red flags indicate no swimming,” Subprasert said.
He added that while the location of the incident was not a designated swimming area but a viewpoint, the victim may have been caught off guard by the sudden wave surge. In response to the tragic event, the Samui City Municipality has closed access to the rocky area below the viewpoint.