KOH TAO, THAILAND – A frantic search is underway for Alexandra Clarke, a 26-year-old British tourist from Lambeth, South London, who went missing after a tour boat caught fire off the coast of Koh Tao, Thailand, on Thursday morning.
Clarke was aboard the "Davy Jones Locker," a vessel conducting a diving excursion, when a fire erupted in the engine room at approximately 9:25 a.m. local time. Reports indicate Clarke was in the restroom at the time of the incident.
The boat was carrying 21 people, including 15 tourists, two crew members, and four diving instructors and assistants. While 20 individuals were successfully evacuated by private vessels and volunteer rescuers, Clarke remains unaccounted for.
Captain Natthaphon Sinpoonphon, deputy director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre of Surat Thani, stated that the fire originated in the engine room, rapidly spreading throughout the vessel. "Preliminary reports indicate that the engine room, captain’s cabin, and rear restroom were damaged. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation," he said.
Rescue teams faced initial difficulties approaching the burning vessel due to intense flames and the risk of fuel explosions. "The search is continuing for one missing tourist, a female, Alexandra Clarke, from the United Kingdom," Captain Sinpoonphon confirmed. "The conditions at sea are dangerous with the wind and currents. All boats in the area have been notified. Search and rescue teams were immediately mobilized."
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office stated, "We are supporting the family of a British woman who is missing in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities."
Social media footage depicted the "Davy Jones Locker" engulfed in flames, highlighting the severity of the incident. The boat had departed from Koh Tao, a small island in the Chumphon Archipelago, en route to the popular diving site, South-west Pinnacle.
The search for Clarke continues as Thai authorities and international partners collaborate in the ongoing rescue efforts.
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