LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — A snorkeling excursion off one of Indonesia’s most popular island destinations ended in tragedy on Wednesday after two Chinese tourists were swept away by powerful waves near Kelor Island, just outside Komodo National Park, search and rescue officials said.
The victims, identified as Guo Xingyou and Sha Gingyang, were taking part in a snorkeling activity after arriving at the island aboard the tourist boat Rinca Story, which was carrying nine passengers.
According to Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office and the mission’s coordinator, the pair were caught by unexpectedly strong waves while in the water.
“The two Chinese nationals were snorkeling in the waters off Kelor Island when they were struck by high waves and drowned,” Fathur said in a statement.
One Victim Found First, Search Continued for Hours
Rescuers first located Guo Xingyou at around 12:45 p.m. local time. Fellow tourists immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before the victim was rushed to Komodo Regional Hospital in Labuan Bajo.
Despite emergency treatment, doctors later pronounced Guo dead.
The second victim, Sha Gingyang, remained missing for several hours, prompting an extensive search involving Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and other emergency responders.
At 4:44 p.m., divers located Sha’s body at a depth of approximately 23 meters (75 feet), about 300 meters from where the incident occurred.
“The second victim was found approximately 0.21 nautical miles from the incident site,” Fathur said.
Following the recovery, search operations were officially concluded.
Authorities: Not a Boat Accident
The tragedy occurred during a popular island-hopping excursion departing from Labuan Bajo, the main gateway to Komodo National Park and one of Indonesia’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.
Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of the Labuan Bajo Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP), said the tourists had already disembarked from the vessel before entering the water.
“They had already gone ashore,” Stephanus said, emphasizing that the incident was not classified as a maritime accident involving the tour boat.
The Rinca Story had received all required sailing clearance before departing, he added.
A Reminder of the Risks Behind Paradise
Kelor Island is a favorite stop on Komodo island-hopping itineraries, attracting visitors with its clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. But like many marine destinations across eastern Indonesia, sea conditions can change rapidly, even during the peak tourist season.
The tragedy serves as a reminder that snorkeling and other ocean activities, while central to the Komodo experience, remain dependent on weather, wave conditions, and local safety guidance.
Authorities have not announced whether further investigations or additional safety reviews will follow the incident.
