A British backpacker continues to be lacking after a hearth ripped by a diving boat and sank off the island of Koh Tao in Thailand.
Alexandra Clarke, 26, from London, was diving within the vacationer hotspot and had requested guides if she may use the bathroom earlier than the blaze broke out on board the boat, named Davy Jones Locker, at 9.15am local time on Sunday.
There have been 22 individuals on board together with 16 vacationers collaborating in diving actions, 4 diving instructors, a ship captain and a crew member. All others on board had been accounted for.
The boat driver, a Myanmar crew member, and 6 vacationers who witnessed the fireplace reported to police that Ms Clarke had requested to floor from the water and entered the bathroom amenities on the boat.
On the time the fireplace broke out, she was reportedly nonetheless in the bathroom.
Ao Tanote is one in all Koh Tao’s seashores (Getty Photographs/iStockphoto)
The reason for the fireplace was associated to a malfunction which occurred whereas the diving tanks had been being crammed with compressed air, based on experiences.
Captain Natthaphon Sinpoonphon, Deputy Director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Middle of Surat Thani, mentioned the blaze began round 9am native time. An emergency name was acquired shortly after.
He mentioned: “The boat was carrying a bunch of vacationers for a diving tour from Koh Tao. It was between 5 and 6 nautical miles away from the island.
“A hearth began within the engine room and unfold by the boat quickly. Thai-MECC Surat Thani coordinated with non-public vessels and volunteers to securely evacuate the vacationers and crew members onto one other boat.
“In the meantime, one other group of volunteers labored to manage the fireplace. Preliminary experiences point out that the engine room, captain’s cabin, and rear restroom had been broken. The precise explanation for the fireplace stays underneath investigation.”
Climate situations and the energy of the blaze initially made it troublesome for rescue groups to get close to the boat, nevertheless it has now been towed to shore.
Koh Tao is a well-liked hub for divers and vacationers due to its reefs and seashores.
The boat was working in an space generally known as Kong Tum Ku, 5-6 nautical miles from Koh Tao.
When the vessel was first evacuated, it was thought that the fireplace may very well be managed and it may very well be towed safely again to Ko Tao. But it surely out of the blue sank, according to the Thai Examiner.
An FCDO spokesperson mentioned: “We’re supporting the household of a British lady who’s lacking in Thailand and are involved with native authorities.”
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