British woman missing in Thailand after fire breaks out on diving boat

A British woman is missing in Thailand after a diving boat she was on caught fire, officials have said.

The vessel was off the coast of the island of Koh Tao when a fire broke out in the engine room after 9am local time on Sunday, according to a Facebook post from the Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office.

Local media reports suggested a body was found in the search for the missing British tourist, named by the public relations office as Alexandra Clarke.

The boat was reportedly carrying 22 people: 16 tourists, two crew members, two diving instructors and two assistant diving instructors.

Ms Clarke was the only passenger on board the Davy Jones Locker who was reported missing.

“The authorities therefore organised a search team for the missing person,” the social media post reads.

“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.”

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

The cause of the fire is being investigated.