Missing British Tourist Feared Dead in Koh Tao Diving Boat Fire

KOH TAO, Thailand — A British tourist is missing and feared dead after a fire engulfed the diving boat she was on near Koh Tao on Sunday morning. Alexandra Clarke, 26, from Lambeth, South London, was reportedly in the bathroom of the Davy Jones Locker when the blaze broke out shortly before a distress signal was sent at 9:25 a.m. local time.

The vessel was carrying 21 people, including 15 tourists, two crew members, and four diving instructors. All but Clarke were evacuated by nearby private vessels as volunteers rushed to the scene to assist. Thai authorities later confirmed that Clarke was missing.

Captain Natthaphon Sinpoonphon, deputy director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center, reported that the fire ignited in the engine room, rapidly spreading to other parts of the boat while being approximately five to six nautical miles from the island. “Preliminary reports indicate that the engine room, captain’s cabin, and rear restroom were damaged. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation,” he said.

Rescue efforts were initially hampered by the intense flames and fears of potential explosions from pressurized fuel and compressed air tanks onboard. “The conditions at sea are dangerous with strong winds and currents,” Sinpoonphon added, emphasizing that search and rescue teams had been mobilized immediately.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office stated, “We are supporting the family of a British woman who is missing in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities.”

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as flames erupted from the wooden cabin, with holidaymakers on nearby boats watching in horror. Footage showed the Davy Jones Locker engulfed in flames, illustrating the perilous situation onboard.

The toilet where Clarke was last seen is situated at the back of the lower deck, near the engine, raising concerns about her fate. Police expressed fear that she may have been incapacitated by fire or an explosion during the chaos.

Koh Tao is known as a premier destination for scuba diving but has gained notoriety for a troubling history of unexplained tourist deaths. While official figures are scarce, local advocacy groups claim that many incidents remain unreported to protect the island’s tourism industry.

Among the more notorious cases was the 2014 double murder of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, which has fueled speculation about safety on the island. Australian lawyer Ian Yarwood, known for campaigning for justice in that case, has warned travelers about the risks associated with visits to the island, stating, “Koh Tao is not a safe place for anyone to visit.”