Body of drowned South Korean tourist found

KOTA KINABALU: The body of the South Korean tourist who was swept out to open sea while swimming at a resort in Karambunai, Sepanggar, was discovered by fishermen early Sunday (June 30).

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre supervisor Mohd Hasbi Hajat said the remains of Kyeong Young-an (pic), 18, was found in the waters off Kg Gayang at about 6.30am, some 4km away from where he was last seen on Friday (June 28).

"We despatched a team to retrieve the body before proceeding to hand over his remains to the police for further action.

"The operation ended at 8.02am," he added.

Kyeong was swept away by strong waves into deep waters while swimming with his friends at about 3.30pm Friday.

When his friends noticed he was missing, they asked for help from resort workers to find him but to no avail. One of them lodged a police report.

A team of 18 firemen from the Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Department was deployed to the scene for the search and rescue (SAR) mission at 4.17pm.

The second day of the SAR operation started at about 7am Saturday (June 29).

The SAR team comprised personnel from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department and its Water Rescue Team, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, police force and the Civil Defence Department.