Body of Cambodia backpacker found at sea

Published : 31 Oct 2019, 23:17

Jagoroniya Desk

The body of missing British backpacker Amelia Bambridge has been found in the sea, police in Cambodia say.

The 21-year-old, from Worthing, West Sussex, was last seen at a beach party on the island of Koh Rong last week.

Her body was recovered 30 miles off the island and will be taken to Sihanoukville on the mainland, according to Cambodian officials.

Ms Bambridge's family will also be taken there from Koh Rong where they have been assisting the search.

She was last seen at about 03:00 local time on 23 October and was reported missing when she failed to check out of her hostel.

Staff at Police Beach, a private party venue on the island, found her purple rucksack with her purse, phone and bank cards inside the following morning.

About 150 volunteers including divers, navy personnel, local people and tourists joined Cambodian police officers in land and sea searches.

Ms Bambridge's father and brother flew out and joined the search parties on Sunday, Her mother had arrived on the island on Monday.

Her brother, Harry, confirmed on Facebook that the body found in the sea was his sister's.

He posted: "I've just seen her and I can confirm it's my little sister Amelia. I'm so sorry to all her friends and family there's nothing more I wanted than to bring her back alive and I really tried.

"I'm sorry to you Amelia Bambridge the round is on me when we meet again in heaven."

About 150 volunteers including divers, navy personnel, local people and tourists joined Cambodian police officers in land and sea searches.

Ms Bambridge's father and brother flew out and joined the search parties on Sunday, Her mother had arrived on the island on Monday.

Her brother, Harry, confirmed on Facebook that the body found in the sea was his sister's.

He posted: "I've just seen her and I can confirm it's my little sister Amelia. I'm so sorry to all her friends and family there's nothing more I wanted than to bring her back alive and I really tried.

"I'm sorry to you Amelia Bambridge the round is on me when we meet again in heaven."

"Now we have to get our Amelia back home to England so we can lay her beautiful soul to rest and to remember the wonderful life she lived.

"Thank you for all the support we've had please continue to do all you can so we can get all our family home with Amelia safely."

Family and friends of Ms Bambridge attended a vigil hosted at St Michael's Church in Worthing on Wednesday, one week on from when she was last seen.

Father Christopher Ingel had said her disappearance was the "most unimaginable" thing for her family.

On Wednesday, the family criticised the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for a lack of support.

Members of staff from the FCO have been on Koh Rong island for a number of days.

A spokesman said: "Amelia's family have our deepest sympathies at this very difficult time.

"Our staff have been providing in-person assistance to them on Koh Rong island, and maintaining close contact with the Cambodian authorities searching for Amelia."

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