Cambodian soldiers, divers scour island for missing British backpacker Amelia Bambridge

More than 140 people took part in the search for a British backpacker who went missing in Cambodia, as her parents arrived in the Southeast Asian country on Sunday.

Local volunteers joined expats, tourists and nearly 200 members of the army, navy and police in searching for 21-year-old Amelia Bambridge, who was last seen at a beach party on the island of Koh Rong. Three government boats aided the sea search, while people scoured terrain on foot and motorcycles.

“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.

Linda Schultes, Bambridge’s mother, arrived in Cambodia from Britain and is expected to land on Koh Rong on Monday morning. Her father, Phil Bambridge, arrived on the island after travelling from Vietnam, where he lives, on Sunday night.

On Wednesday, Bambridge, who travelled to Cambodia alone but forged friendships with other backpackers, left the Nest Beach Club hostel on Koh Rong, where she had been staying, and attended a party on the small, privately run Police Beach. She was last seen by friends at about 3am on Thursday at the party.

Concern was raised when Bambridge failed to check out of the hostel and meet a friend to catch a ferry. Her backpack, containing items including her bank cards, cash, phone and headphones, was found on rocks by Police Beach later on Thursday morning.