LABUAN BAJO – Two tourists from China died while snorkeling off Kelor Island in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, after they were reportedly swept away by strong currents while swimming without life jackets and without direct supervision, police said.
The victims were identified as Guo Xingyou (29) and Sha Gingyang (30), a married couple who joined a day trip to Kelor Island on Wednesday (July 15).
West Manggarai Police Chief AKBP Christian Kadang said preliminary findings showed the couple entered the water without wearing life jackets.
“Both victims were swimming without wearing life jackets. There was no direct supervision while they were in the water,” Christian said on Thursday.
According to police, the incident began when the open-deck tourist vessel KM Rinca Story (GT 19) departed Marina Waterfront Harbor in Labuan Bajo at around 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The boat, owned by Agus Prawijaya, was carrying domestic and international tourists on an island-hopping tour to Kelor Island, one of the area’s most popular destinations for trekking and snorkeling.
After arriving, the group first explored the island before entering the water to snorkel.
Police said there were no crew members or tour guides directly monitoring the couple while they were snorkeling. Investigators believe they were carried away by strong sea currents off the western side of the island, leaving them too exhausted to return safely.
“It is strongly suspected that both victims were swept away by strong sea currents from the western side of the island, causing extreme exhaustion,” Christian said.
Guo Xingyou was later found floating in the water. Other tourists immediately pulled him from the sea and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but he could not be revived.
A joint search and rescue (SAR) team later recovered Sha Gingyang’s body from a depth of approximately 23 meters beneath the surface.
Both victims were evacuated to Komodo Regional Hospital (RSUD Komodo) in Labuan Bajo.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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