Chinese tourist drowned in Semporna

KOTA KINABALU: The body of a Chinese tourist has been found some 15 hours after he was reported missing while snorkelling in the waters off Semporna district.

Semporna Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Commander Amir Shubli said Lin Junyong, 25, had gone snorkelling with a friend at Bum-Bum island at 5.15pm on Thursday (Oct 5).

After Lin went missing, the friend tried to locate him with the help of resort workers and the manager, but failed.

A search and rescue operation was then launched at 12.35am.

“Around 10.40am on Friday (Oct 6), the victim’s body was found near Dataran Lepa by a MMEA patrol boat,” Cmdr Amir said in a statement.

Semporna OCPD Supt Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the victim and his friend had gone snorkelling some 10m to 15m from the resort's jetty without wearing life jackets.

“The tide was high then. The victim and the friend were snorkelling between 5m and 20m from each other,” he said, adding that the closed-circuit television camera at the jetty area was not functioning.

Supt Mohd Farhan said the body was found floating some 30m from the jetty.

He urged those with information to contact investigating officer Asst Supt Mohammad Ali Amat at 013-212 0852 or the district police at 089-782 020 or any police stations.

He also urged resort operators to advise their guests to wear life jackets when carrying out water activities and ensure that equipment such as surveillance cameras are working.