A part-time BBC photojournalist, Johanna Powell, 37 from Cardiff had died in a tourist boat on the Mekong river in Pak Beng. Johanna had travelled with her 3 friends from Wales and one of her friends was celebrating her 40th birthday. The friends are in a group of 10 in a boat that could 25 people.
Johanna was reported to be sleeping when the boat hit a rock while travelling through the rapids. The boat was said to had sink in seconds. The rest of the passengers and crew aboard managed to swim to shore or cling to rocks before they were rescued.
Johanna Powell
Speaking to the BBC, Johanna's dad, Donald said that she was a lovely girl who had no bad words to say about anyone, and the family hoped that the body found will not be Johanna's.
Her mother, Theresa also said she was worried about the trip, which was arranged to celebrate the birthday of one of her friends. She said her daughter later sent her a text before boarding her flight that says "I love you mom...everything is going to be alright"
The co-owner of the cruise company, Mr Adisak Star said that the boat had sunk quickly after hitting a rock while travelling through the rapids. The boat went down in minutes. Other passengers managed to jump out of the boat, but he did not know what happened to Johanna Powell.
Everybody on the cruise boat survived except Johanna. Cruises have been suspended following the incident and it is not sure when they will resume again. Mr Star also said that the boat captain own the vessel and also experienced. He is currently detained by local police in Luang Prabang.
Johanna friends have paid tribute to her via her twitter page @Jocpow
The last boat ride of Johanna, she is the lady waving her hand
A Foreign Office spokesman said officials were helping the Powell’s family. “We can confirm that a British national has been reported missing following a cruise boat incident on the Mekong river near Pak Beng, Laos,” he said. “We are liaising closely with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family.”
A BBC Wales spokeswoman said: “We are aware that a body has been found in the area where Jo went missing following a boating incident on Saturday. Our thoughts remain with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”