A BRITISH holidaymaker has been reported missing after a fire broke out on a tourist boat off the coast of Thailand’s notorious ‘Death Island’.
She was reportedly using the toilet when a blaze erupted from the engine of the wooden vessel near Koh Tao on Sunday morning.
AsiaPacificPress via ViralPressA British tourist is missing after a fire ripped through a diving boat off the coast of Thailand’s notorious ‘Death Island’[/caption]
Footage from nearby boats show the plumes of black smoke coming from the vesselAsiaPacificPress via ViralPress
AsiaPacificPress via ViralPressThe boat was carrying at least 16 tourists[/caption]
Officials said at least 16 tourists were onboard the boat, named Davy Jones Locker, as well as two crew and four instructors from the scuba diving firm.
They are understood to have been rescued by passing boats but she was still unaccounted for on Sunday afternoon.
Compressed air in the tanks filled to 3,000psi as well as fuel onboard are understood to have caused the fire to have spread.
The toilet is often located at the back of the boat on the bottom deck next to the toilet.
Footage shows how the inferno ravaged the large wooden cabin at the rear of the boat as shocked holidaymakers on passing boats looked on.
Rescue teams swiftly coordinated efforts, evacuating all passengers and crew onto another boat.
Meanwhile, volunteers battled the blaze, which tore through the engine room, the captain’s cabin, and a rear restroom.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
An investigation into the fire and the search for the Brit tourist is now underway.
Captain Natthaphon Sinpoonphon, Deputy Director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center, said the blaze started at around 9am local time.
An emergency call was received shortly after.
He 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.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the engine room, captain’s cabin, and rear restroom were damaged. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.”
Lieutenant Colonel Nattapol Sinpunphol, deputy director of the Surat Thani Marine Department, said rescue teams were initially unable to get close to the boat because of the flames.
There were also fears of further explosions from the tanks and fuel onboard.
He added: “The search is continuing for one missing tourist, a female from the United Kingdom.
“The conditions at sea are dangerous with the wind and currents.
“All boats in the area have been notified. Search and rescue teams were immediately mobilised.”
The Sun has contacted the Foreign Office for more information.
Koh Tao is one of the world’s most popular scuba diving locations but it has been dubbed ‘Death Island’ due to the alarming number of young tourists who have died in mysterious circumstances.
Dozens have been killed – though the actual number could be much higher, with many deaths covered up to protect the lucrative tourism industry.
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