Chinese envoy: Sabah govt must ensure safety of tourists

KOTA KINABALU: An explanation is due to the families of the Chinese tourists who died in the lunar new year catamaran tragedy, China's ambassador Huang Huikang said.

He said Sabah should also explain to the families what is being done to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

“This is the worst thing to have happened during Chinese New Year. It should not have happened at all,” Huang said Wednesday after visiting the 20 survivors, who are being treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here.

Three tourists died after the catamaran sank. Six people, including a crewman, remain missing.

Huang said lessons must be learnt from the incident to improve safety for tourists, adding that visitors to Sabah should feel that they can return home safely.

He also said that the Chinese government is closely following the rescue efforts for their five nationals and the remaining Sabahan crewman.

“Our top leaders, including the president and the prime minister, have instructed us at the embassy and consulate here that every effort must be made to account for those who remain missing,” Huang said.

“We cannot give up or lose hope in finding them,” he added.