Thatsaphon Saii, a twenty-three-year-old Thai sailor, still wearing his pants, jumped into the water and swam toward the wreckage of a burning ship to rescue 4 kittens that were stuck on board. All of the 8 crew members who were on the ship have, thankfully, already escaped the fire and were saved by a shipping boat that was sailing past them, but 4 terrified kittens were left on the ship, clinging to a finishing crane as flames roared all around them.
According to Metro, the moment Thatsaphon realized they were there, he, without hesitation, plunged into the water and swam toward them, grabbing the three kittens - placing three into an old rice sack and the fourth right onto his shoulder. Then, he paddled back to the navy vessel and somehow managed to save kittens without a single one of them being hurt. The ship was left to burn and sink in the ocean.
Read Thatsaphon's comments about the incident and check out pictures below!
Speaking about the incident, Thatsaphon said: "I immediately took off my shirt and put on a life jacket so I could jump into the sea. The flames were at the back of the boat but it was starting to sink, so I knew I had to be quick." The kittens, though dehydrated, were all unharmed and in safe hands.
He added: "I'm so relieved that we were able to save the kittens. They would have drowned or died of thirst if they went into the sea." Currently, the kittens are being looked after by navy officials as they are being prepared to be rehomed. We hope that these adorable kittens find the forever homes that they deserve, with people looking after them who are as amazing and caring as Thatsaphon. And, of course, thank you to the navy officials taking care of the kittens, and especially to Thatsaphon who really is a hero.
For more stories of heroes saving animals in need, click right here.
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