Bangkok: A body has been found in the search for a missing British national in Laos, an official said today, after reports of a tourist boat sinking during a cruise on the Mekong River.
The BBC has reported that 37-year-old Johanna Powell, a picture editor for the broadcaster's hub in Wales, was reported missing Saturday after the boat capsized during a holiday in which she was celebrating a friend's 40th birthday.
Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) confirmed a body has been recovered in the search for a missing national but has not yet been identified.
"A British national has been reported missing following a cruise boat incident on the Mekong River near Pak Beng, Laos, on 11 April," a London-based FCO spokesman told AFP.
"We are liaising closely with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family," he added.
The BBC said that Powell was travelling with three friends from Wales as part of a group of 10 on the boat when it hit a rock in rapids and soon after capsized.
Her brother-in-law Dean Price said the family was told she was asleep when the accident took place, according to the BBC, which reported that other passengers managed to jump off the boat and survive.
"Out of all the ones on board, the rest were lucky and they got to the bank somehow, but Johanna was missing," Powell's tearful father Donald told BBC Wales on Monday.
"And we've heard today that they have found a body. They've not identified yet and we're just hoping it's not her." (AFP)
