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 in the waters off Mamutik Island, one of the most visited islands near the city, at about 2.20pm on Saturday.
The male victim, aged 25, was with seven others including a diving instructor when the incident took place.
It is learnt that after the diving, everyone from the group had returned to the beach except the victim.
The victim was then found unconscious in the sea and was brought to the beach by lifeguards on the island, who then gave the man cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to no avail.
Kota Kinabalu police chief Asst Comm Kasim Muda, who confirmed the incident, said the victim was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1 but was pronounced dead upon arrival by a doctor at 4.10pm.
“Our probe found no foul play involved as the victim was believed to have drowned while diving.
“A post-mortem will be done to determine the actual cause of death,” he said.
