Boat (illustrative)
Boat (illustrative)Flash 90

Authorities have stopped searching for the body of an Israeli 12 year-old who was burnt to death in a ferry fire on Wednesday, hours after she was reported dead in Israeli media. 

"It's dark here and it's a very difficult area," the Chabad emissary in Phuket, Eliezer Leinz, stated to Walla! News. He added that searches for the body are expected to resume Thursday. 

Meanwhile, he noted, the family is in shock - and the lack of evidence regarding their daughter's death is tearing them up. 

"Family members are upset," he said. "They are dealing with a very unpleasant situation, a dilemma of uncertainty."

He added that the parents, who are in Thailand on vacation with other children, are in a "bad emotional state" at the moment. He gave them his cellphone as well to allow them to call relatives in Israel; they lost theirs in the water during the fire. 

The fire broke out at about 3:30 pm local time, as the ship was heading back to Phuket. It began in the stern of the vessel and spread. 

The girl was in the bathroom when the fire broke and was locked in as it burned, her family stated. At least 100 other passengers were rescued. 

According to Thai news outlet Phuket Wan, the Marine Police has named the victim as Shani Maril; this remains unconfirmed. Israeli media has yet to identify the victim. 

The Israeli Embassy in Thailand is currently investigating.