Thailand boat fire: Search resumes for missing Alexandra Clarke

Thailand has restarted its search operation for Alexandra Clark, a 26-year-old woman from South London, England. This follows the fire and subsequent sinking of a tourist boat near Koh Tao, on which Clark was aboard for a diving trip.

The Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office stated that Clark was among the 22 people on the boat on Sunday morning when the fire broke out. Divers searched the wreckage and surrounding waters on Monday but found no trace of Ms. Clark, who is from Lambeth. It is believed that she was in the restroom when the fire started.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has stated that they are "supporting the family of a British woman missing in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities." Koh Tao police believe the fire was caused by a fuel tank overflowing while the boat was being refueled en route. Police have charged the captain and a crew member with negligence.

Local police stated that the boat left the shore at approximately 07:30 International Standard Time (00:30 GMT), taking the group to the popular diving site of Southwest Pinnacle. Colonel Srayut Buakhawatchirasakul of Koh Tao Police Station said that the fire broke out at approximately 10:00 International Standard Time after a crew member added too much fuel to the engine.

Colonel Buakhawatchirasakul said, "When he started the engine, it sparked, causing the engine to catch fire and spread, causing the entire boat to burn and eventually sink into the sea." He also added that the fire spread quickly, engulfing the engine room, forcing divers, instructors, and crew to jump into the sea. Other boats, alerted by an emergency call, rescued the remaining 15 tourists and seven crew members.

According to the provincial government office's Facebook page, authorities collaborated with private boat operators and volunteers to help evacuate the tourists and crew safely onto another vessel, but Ms. Clark was not among them.