Amelia Bambridge missing: Six quizzed in Cambodia over backpacker as her family’s fears grow

Benedict Moore-Bridger29 October 2019

Six men were today being questioned by police over the disappearance of British backpacker Amelia Bambridge in Cambodia.

Nearly 200 army, navy and police personnel were scouring Koh Rong island after the 21-year-old vanished six days ago having last been seen at a beach party.

Six Cambodians, some of whom are understood to work in the island’s bars, were taken to police headquarters in neighbouring coastal province Sihanoukville, a senior officer told AFP. Provincial deputy police chief Nop Panha said: “They are being questioned. We are not drawing any conclusions yet.”

At least one of the men is understood to have worked at a hostel on Koh Rong.

Amelia Bambridge (third from left) pictured where she was last seen at a beach party on Wednesday night

Another unnamed official spoke of the diminishing hope that Ms Bambridge would be found alive, saying: “We are looking for a body now.”

Provincial police chief Chuon Narin said at least 20 people had been questioned about whether they had met Ms Bambridge on 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 sisters, Georgie Bambridge and Sharon Schultes, have been posting appeals for help and information on social media.

Emotional: sisters Georgie and Sharon on TV yesterday

Ms Schultes wrote on Facebook: “Where are you Amelia we miss you dearly. PLEASE FIND OUR AMELIA.”

Ms Bambridge’s parents, Phil Bambridge and Linda Schultes, and her brother Harry have travelled out to the country to help in the search.

Her father said he feared she had been abducted and added: “I’m not doing very well. I just hope we can find her, but it seems like it’s going to be difficult. I’m not [optimistic], unless a miracle happens. I hope a miracle does happen, but I don’t think we’ll see her.”

Ms Bambridge, from Worthing, vanished in the early hours on October 24. She had saved for two years for the “trip of a lifetime.

Sihanoukville Governor Kuoch Chamroeun, left, and rescuers during a search and rescue operation in Koh Rong island
AFP via Getty Images

A bag and phone were found where she was sighted on Police Beach, a late-night hangout popular with travellers. The alarm was raised after she failed to check out of her hostel.

Authorities were checking with fishermen if anyone was accidentally caught in their nets, while teams were also trudging through Koh Rong’s lush jungles for clues.

Sniffer dogs from Phnom Penh were also being brought in today and extra boats dispatched from Sihanoukville.

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