Published 18:58 IST, October 29th 2019
Cambodian police questions six men after the disappearance of tourist
After the disappearance of British backpacker Amelia Bambridge the local police are reportedly questioning six Cambodian men who work at restaurants and hotels
After the disappearance of British backpacker Amelia Bambridge the local police are reportedly questioning six Cambodian men who work at restaurants, hotels, and guesthouses on the island. Noun Bunthol, the governor of Koh Rong told an international media outlet that the six men were in police custody for questioning about the 21-year-old, who hasn't been seen since October 23. however, her bad with money and a cellphone was reportedly found on a nearby beach, and her passport was found in the room where she had been staying.
According to the police reports Bambridge left a beach party with her friends she had met at the hostel on Koh Rong island in southwestern Cambodia. A police official has also vowed that the search for Bambridge would not be ended until her fate was established. He claimed that the search has been expanded as nearby islands and farther offshore in the Gulf of Thailand are also being searched. Cambodia has reportedly deployed soldiers, police, and divers to search the island. Around 200 army, navy and police members have fanned out across the Koh Rong in an attempt to find the British tourist.
"We have decided the search mission will not be ended until we find her alive, or her body if she has died," the police chief for Preah Sihanouk province, Maj. Gen. Chuon Narin, said in a phone interview.
"Divers are searching in the sea around Koh Rong while the others are scanning the jungle," said Kheang Phearun, a spokesman for the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration. "We have not yet found the missing British woman."
Fishermen to pass along information
Local fishermen and neighbouring areas have also been reportedly alerted to pass along any information. The police officials have also speculated the 21-year-old might have drowned as the authorities claim that they found her belongings on a rock close the water's edge. The British media have reported that the tourist had befriended other tourists but the alarm was raised after she failed to check out of her hostel. Bambridge's family has also arrived in Cambodia and headed to the closest city, Sihanoukville on Sunday night. Her father Phil Bambridge told international reporters that he feared his daughter had been abducted and he doesn't think she had an accident.
(With agency inputs)
Updated 23:58 IST, October 29th 2019