BANGKOK, Feb 15: A Thai man and a woman, both in their fifties, died at a mass underwater wedding held in Thailand’s southern Trang province on Valentine’s Day, local newspapers reported on Friday.

The two were guests at a ceremony where 13 couples from Thailand, India, Korea and Japan were married under the Andaman Sea off Ko Kradan island.

Both people complained of breathing difficulties and were taken to a nearby hospital. The two reportedly died on arrival.

In addition to being dangerous for some humans, scientists and environmentalists say the fad for underwater weddings off Ko Kradan is threatening the dugong, or sea cow, population.

The dugong, a large sea mammal that feeds on sea grasses, is an endangered species in Thailand. Convoys of vessels en route to Ko Kradan for the wedding ceremonies pass through the dugong’s habitat in Chaomai National Park.

“Up to 100 boats were involved in last year’s event,” claimed Phisit Charnsanoh from the United Nations Environmental Programme, which held a conference in Bangkok on Thursday.

“The animal often suffers from panic attack, which blocks the blood flow to several parts of the body when faced with a chase or loud noises,” marine biologist Kanjana Adulyanukul said.—dpa