A British backpacker is missing out on after a fire ripped through a diving boat off the island of Koh Tao in Thailand.
The traveler, who has actually been reported to be a 26-year-old female from Lambeth, was supposedly in the toilet when a blaze began with the engine of the wood vessel on Sunday early morning.
According to authorities, the boat was bring 22 individuals, consisting of 16 travelers taking part in diving activities, 4 diving trainers, a boat captain and a team member.
Aside from the British traveler, all were saved by passing boats however it is thought she had actually ended up being caught in the rear restroom.
It has actually been reported that the reason for the fire was connected to a breakdown, which happened while the diving tanks were being filled with compressed air.
Captain Natthaphon Sinpoonphon, Deputy Director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center of Surat Thani, stated the blaze began at around 9am regional time. An emergency situation call was gotten soon after.
He stated: “The boat was bring a group of travelers for a diving trip from Koh Tao. It was in between 5 and 6 nautical miles far from the island.
” A fire began in the engine space and spread through the boat quickly. Thai-MECC Surat Thani collaborated with personal vessels and volunteers to securely leave the travelers and team members onto another boat.
” On the other hand, another group of volunteers worked to manage the fire. Initial reports show that the engine space, captain’s cabin, and rear toilet were harmed. The specific reason for the fire stays under examination.”
Weather and the strength of the blaze at first made it challenging for rescue groups to come up to the boat, however it has actually now been hauled to coast.
An FCDO representative stated:” We are supporting the household of a British female who is missing out on in Thailand and touch with regional authorities.”