PHUKET: The body of missing Israeli girl Shani Maril has been found at the bottom of the ocean at the spot where a Krabi to Phuket ferry sank after burning to the waterline yesterday.

Scores of foreign tourists narrowly escaped a similar fate by jumping into the water as the Ao Nang Princess 5 quickly caught ablaze from the stern when the engine malfunctioned.

The body of the 12-year-old girl showed signs of being badly burned when raised by divers about 10.30am today from a depth of 18 metres.

On a holiday outing, she had told her family she was going to the toilet, also at the stern of the vessel, just before the first cries of: ''Fire!''.

The girl's mother, father and two siblings were due to fly out for Israel today.

Among the 117 passengers and crew who scrambled to find life vests then jumped into the sea for their lives were tourists from 10 countries including at least eight Australians, eight British citizens and eight Hungarians.

The fire spread quickly, leaving passengers with no choice except to jump.

Some of the survivors who were bused back to Phuket last night had lost their passports and all their luggage and were dressed in swimsuits.

Survivors from seven countries lost their passports and a similar number lost all their possessions.

Police on Phuket were praised for their reaction to the catastrophe yet failed to contact envoys to help the most affected survivors deal quickly with their practical needs.

At least two police volunteers who crossed to Phuket City Police Station from Patong and southern Phuket to help gave the shirts off their backs.

The cause of the blaze was still being investigated today by police in Krabi.

Passengers told Phuketwan last night at Phuket City Police Station that the engine stopped before the fire was spotted.

Ironically, hours before the sinking about 3.30pm yesterday, about 50 tour guides and crew from speedboats on Phuket met at a seminar on the topic of improving marine safety for tourists.