KOTA KINABALU: What was supposed to be a fun diving experience turned into a tragedy for a group of Chinese tourists when one of them drowned near an island off the Sabah capital.
The incident occurred off Mamutik Island, one of the most visited islands off the city, at about 2.20pm on Saturday (June 22).
The victim, aged 25, was with seven others, including a diving instructor, when the incident took place.
It is learnt that following the outing, everyone had returned to the beach except the victim.
The victim was found unconscious in the sea and was brought to the beach by lifeguards on the island who later gave the man cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but failed to revive him.
Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Kasim Muda, who confirmed the incident, said the victim was then rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I but was pronounced dead by a doctor at 4.10pm.
“Our probe found no foul play involved as the victim was believed to have drowned while diving.
“A postmortem will be done to ascertain the actual cause of death,” he said.
