British tourists have gone missing in Thailand after a tour boat that fires off Koh Tao.
Alexandra Clark, 26, from Lambeth, south of London, was riding in Davy Jones' locker for a diving excursion.
She was reportedly in the bathroom when the flames broke out just before the distress signal was sent at 9:25am local time.
There were 21 other people, including 15 tourists, two crew members, four diving instructors and assistants.
They were safely evacuated by civilian ships and volunteers, but a second team of volunteers worked to extinguish the flames. Thai authorities have discovered that Clark is missing.
Colonel Nathafon Singhponphong, deputy director of the Thai Sea Maritime Executive Command in Surat Thani, said the boat is five to six nautical miles from the island when a fire broke out in the engine compartment and “spread rapidly.”
He said: “Preliminary reports show that the engine compartment, captain's cabin and rear toilets are damaged. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.”
It is understood that the fire prevented rescuers from the boat from approaching the boat due to the fear of further explosions from the fuel on board.
Simpon Phong said:
“The sea conditions are dangerous with wind and current. All boats in the area have been notified. The search and rescue team was mobilized immediately.”
A foreign ministry spokesman said, “We are supporting the families of British women who are missing in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities.”
a Videos shared on social media It showed the boat was engulfed in flames.
Davy Jones' lockers reportedly transported tourists from Tao, a small island that forms part of the Chungphong Archipelago, to a nearby diving site at the top of the southwest.
