Bangkok [Thailand], March 17: The Guardian reported on March 17 that a British tourist was missing after a cruise ship carrying him and 21 others caught fire near Koh Tao island in Thailand.
Tourist Alexandra Clarke (26), from Lambeth, south London, had been on the Davy Jones Locker for a diving trip. She was believed to have been in the toilet when the fire broke out, before a distress signal was sent at 9:25 a.m. on March 16 (local time).
There were 21 other people on board, including 15 tourists, two crew members, and four diving instructors and assistants.
They were safely evacuated by private boats and volunteers, while a second group of volunteers worked to extinguish the fire. Authorities later discovered that tourist Clarke was missing.
Captain Natthaphon Sinpoonphon, deputy director of the Thai Maritime Law Enforcement Command Center in Surat Thani province, said the ship was about 5-6 nautical miles from the island when the fire broke out in the engine room and "spread rapidly throughout the ship".
"Preliminary reports indicate damage to the engine room, captain's room and aft toilet. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation," he said.
Rescue teams were initially unable to get close to the boat because of the fire and fears of further explosions from the fuel on board.
The search for Clarke is still ongoing, Sinpoonphon said. "Sea conditions are dangerous with wind and currents. All vessels in the area have been notified. Search and rescue teams have been immediately deployed," he said.
The Davy Jones Locker caught fire while carrying the group of tourists from Koh Tao to a diving area about 5-6 nautical miles away. The 23.29-ton passenger ship had a license until November 24, according to The Straits Times.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
