Police have revealed that the two Chinese tourists who died while snorkeling off Pulau Kelor, Labuan Bajo, were not accompanied by a licensed professional tour guide. Before entering the water, the married couple received only a briefing from a vocational school student on internship (Praktik Kerja Lapangan, or PKL).
The victims, Guo Xingyou, 29, and Sha Gingyang, 30, died while snorkeling in the waters off Pulau Kelor on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
“At the time of the incident, the two victims were not accompanied by a licensed professional tour guide. They only received a briefing from a vocational school student undergoing field work practice,” said West Manggarai Police Chief AKBP Christian Kadang on Thursday, July 16.
Safety Protocols Allegedly Loosened
Christian said the intern and the boat crew are suspected of having relaxed marine tourism safety standard operating procedures by failing to directly supervise the victims while they were snorkeling. He added that the victims were not equipped with life jackets, only diving masks (goggles) and fins.
“Both victims also went unsupervised while in the water,” Christian said.
How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began when the open-deck vessel KM Rinca Story (GT 19) departed Marina Waterfront Port in Labuan Bajo at approximately 10:00am on July 15. The boat, owned by Agus Prawijaya, carried a mix of domestic and international tourists to Pulau Kelor, a popular destination for trekking and snorkeling.
Upon arrival, the tourists went ashore and trekked before entering the water to snorkel. While the two Chinese tourists were in the sea, no boat crew member or tour guide was supervising them.
“It is strongly suspected that both victims were swept by strong currents on the western side of the island, leading to extreme exhaustion,” Christian said.
Guo Xingyou was found floating in the water off Pulau Kelor. Other tourists at the scene attempted CPR, but he could not be saved. Sha Gingyang’s body was later found by a joint search and rescue team at a depth of 23 meters on the seabed.
