Backpacker missing after tourist boat caught fire, sunk off Koh Tao island in Thailand

A Thai tour boat with 16 tourists on board has caught fire, sending people jumping for their lives into the water. One backpacker is missing.

A backpacker is missing after a dive tour boat caught fire and sunk in Thailand.

Other tourists and crew were able to be evacuated to another boat but authorities are searching for British woman Alexandra Clarke, 26, who was thought to be in the toilet when the fire started on Sunday morning off the island of Koh Tao.

The Royal Thai Navy said it was “not giving up” in an update on the search late on Monday, which has involved divers, boats and helicopters.

The Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office said there were 22 people on board the boat, including 16 tourists, two crew and four diving instructors.

It said the fire broke out in the engine room on the boat, named Davy Jones Locker.

A British tourist is missing and feared dead after a fire ripped through a diving boat off the coast of Thailand's notorious 'Death Island'. Picture: Viral Press

Pictures and video show flames mainly at the back of the boat sending smoke pummelling into the air.

“The Marine Department of Surat Thani Province co-ordinated with private boats and volunteers to quickly help evacuate tourists and crew to another boat safely before checking and finding that one foreign tourist was missing, which was on the tourist boat,” the Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office said.

The tour dive boat has 2 people on board, including 16 tourists. Picture: The Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office

Divers have searched the wreckage, which is at a depth of 37 metres, but have found no trace of Ms Clarke.

The search was suspended on Monday afternoon due to weather and lack of light.

Authorities are considering bringing in underwater drones or sonar scanning equipment.

Other boats rescued the tourists and crew who jumped into the water. Picture: The Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office

One missing backpacker is feared dead. Picture: The Surat Thani Provincial Public Relations Office

Koh Tao Police have charged the captain and crew with negligence, according to the BBC.

Col Sarayuth Buriwachira from Koh Tao Police told the British broadcaster that an employee filled the engine tank “above the amount until the gasoline overflowed and spilled”.

“When he started the engine, a spark occurred, causing the engine to catch fire and spread, causing the entire ship to burn and eventually sink into the sea,” he said.

Koh Tao island itself has been has earned the unfortunate moniker of “Death Island” after a spate of deaths among holiday-makers in recent years.