British tourist missing after Koh Tao blaze

A British tourist has been reported missing in Thailand after a boat caught fire off the coast of the island of Koh Tao.

The Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office said 26-year-old Alexandra Clarke from Lambeth, south London, was the only tourist missing after the incident.

In a Facebook post local officials said they believed 16 tourists were on the diving boat, called the Davy Jones Locker, when a blaze broke out in the ship’s engine room after 09:00 ITC (02:00 GMT) on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who is missing in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities.”

Four crew members, two diving instructors and two assistant diving instructors were also on board, according to local authorities.

The provincial office’s Facebook post said: “After receiving the report (of the fire), the Surat Thani Provincial Marine Office coordinated with private boats and volunteers to quickly help evacuate tourists and crew to another boat safely.”

It added: “One tourist is missing, a female named Alexandra Clarke, a British national.

“The authorities therefore organised a search team for the missing person.”

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.