Female British vacationer, 26, lacking in Thailand ‘is useless’ after boat goes up in flames
A British tourist missing in Thailand after a boat fire on Sunday has died, local police have confirmed. Backpacker Alexandra Clarke, 26 was enjoying a diving boat excursion when a sudden blaze ripped through the vessel.
The Lambeth-born woman was thought to have been using the toilet when the boat caught fire near Thailand’s Koh Tao. It has now been confirmed by Surat Thani police chief Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikhong that her body was found on the burned-out vessel after it is thought she went to the toilet when the blaze began at around 10am local time.
The boat has now been taken back to the island of Koh Tao where her official cause of death will be confirmed after an investigation has taken place.
(Image: AsiaPacificPress via ViralPress)
According to officials, at least 16 tourists were on board the wooden boat for a scuba excursion.
The vessel, named ‘Davy Jones Locker’, was thought to have gone up in flames after combustion in the engine room spread via compressed air fuel tanks. The two crew and four scuba diving instructors on-board were aided in rescuing the passengers by passing boats
Branded ‘Death island’ after the death of dozens of British tourists on various occasions, Koh Tao is a popular spot for keen scuba divers.
(Image: ViralPress)
In a statement released yesterday morning, Captain Natthaphon Sinpoonphon said: “The boat was carrying a group of tourists for a diving excursion from Koh Tao. It was between five and six nautical miles away from the island. A fire started in the engine room and spread through the boat rapidly.
“Thai-MECC Surat Thani coordinated with private vessels and volunteers to safely evacuate the tourists and crew members onto another boat.
“Meanwhile, another team of volunteers worked to control the fire. Preliminary reports indicate that the engine room, captain’s cabin, and rear restroom were damaged. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
