Chinese tourist drowns near Mengalum, Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A 26-year-old tourist from Guangdong, China drowned while snorkelling in waters off Mengalum near here.

Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm Habibi Majinji said the victim, who was identified as Chen Shao Ling, had gone snorkeling with her group of friends and their guide prior to the 12.35pm incident on Monday (Jan 7).

"Chen was seen struggling in the water after she was hit by some waves and is believed to have swallowed quite a large amount of water following the incident," he said in a statement here.

He said the guide who saw her struggling immediately pulled her to the shore and tried to resuscitate her.

ACP Habibi said the guide and boatman brought Chen back to the Sutera Harbour Jetty here where she remained unconscious despite their efforts to save her.

"The woman was pronounced dead at about 1.02pm after reaching the jetty," he said.

A post-mortem is being conducted on the woman to find out the exact cause of death.

Chen had come to Sabah with her two friends aged 28 and 29 on Jan 5, and is supposed to spent at least a week here.