The father of a 21-year-old British woman who disappeared after a beach party on a Cambodian island fears she has been kidnapped.
Amelia Bambridge was last seen on Police Beach on Koh Rong island in the early hours of Oct. 24.
An extensive search has been launched, with her family arriving in Cambodia to help with the investigation.
“I don’t think she’s had an accident,” father Phil Bambridge told the U.K.’s Sky News. “If she’d had an accident, she would have been found by now.”
More than 100 police officers and volunteers have been deployed to assist with the search operation, Lieutenant General Salideth Peuo of the Cambodian National Police told CNN.
Bambridge, from Worthing, West Sussex, had gone to the party on Oct. 23, according to the Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity that highlights the plight of missing or jailed British travelers abroad. She was staying at a nearby hostel.
But when she failed to check out of Nest Beach Club, the manager contacted Bambridge’s mother, according to Britain’s PA. Her handbag—containing her wallet, phone, and bank cards—was discovered on a nearby beach, and her passport was found at the hostel, according to PA.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Georgie Bambridge said her sister had spent two years planning her solo trip to Cambodia.
A spokesperson for the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed to CNN that it was providing consular assistance to Bambridge’s family. The British Embassy in Phnom Penh said it was working closely with the Cambodian police.
A Facebook page set up to raise money for the search has already raised more than $128,000.
The Lucie Blackman Trust has issued an appeal for information about the backpacker, adding that there were “serious concerns” for her welfare. The charity is encouraging anyone with information about her whereabouts to call +44-800-098-8485, or to email [email protected].
Police Questioned at Least 20 People
Cambodian police said they had questioned at least 20 people but made no arrests as they continued the search for Bambridge, as her brother urged renewed efforts to try to find her.
“We are very worried that’s why we are using all forces to search for her,” Koh Rong town governor Nuon Bunthol said.
Preah Sihanouk province Police Chief Chuon Narin said at least 20 people had been questioned on whether they met Bambridge the night of the party.
“We are questioning as many people as possible and we haven’t detained anyone,” he said, adding that he feared she might have drowned.
Her brother Harry Bambridge wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday: “EVERYONE I need you all to share as much as possible about my sister. … More noise that gets made puts more pressure on the island to find her.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
