British tourist missing after diving boat horror off coast of Thai island

A British tourist is missing in Thailand after the boat she was travelling on caught fire off the coast of the island of Koh Tao, local officials said

A British tourist is missing in Thailand after the boat she was aboard caught fire near the island of Koh Tao, according to local officials.

In a statement from Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office shared on Facebook, authorities said it’s thought that 16 tourists were on the Davy Jones Locker diving boat when its engine room ignited after 9am on Sunday (March 16).

The 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.”

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

“One tourist is missing, a female named Alexandra Clarke, a British national,” the provincial office said.

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

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