HEYBALI – A female tourist, believed to be Chinese, drowned while snorkeling at Long Pink Beach in Komodo National Park, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, at approximately 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was receiving emergency CPR from fellow tourists at the scene while awaiting evacuation by search and rescue teams.
A Coordinated Response From Nearby Boat Crews
Arif Rahmadan, coordinator of the Labuan Bajo Search and Rescue post, confirmed his team had received the report. “Yes, we’ve received the report,” he said when reached by phone.
Rahmadan said his team quickly coordinated with PT Palma Hijau Cemerlang, a private operator stationed at the North Padar Island post within Komodo National Park, to arrange the victim’s evacuation to Labuan Bajo. The company operates a speedboat, the Sea Rider, which regularly handles emergency evacuations across the park, and its vessel happened to be positioned close to where the drowning occurred.
“We’ve coordinated with PHC for evacuation. The location is close by,” Rahmadan explained.
What Happened at the Beach
According to gathered information, the victim was a passenger aboard the traditional pinisi boat My Moon. She had initially been swimming near the shoreline when other guests began shouting that someone was drowning.
A dinghy from a nearby boat rushed to the scene, alongside several people who happened to be paddleboarding nearby. Among the guests who responded were tourists with medical training from another vessel, who immediately began administering CPR.
The victim was brought to shore, where rescuers continued emergency medical care while awaiting the arrival of the official evacuation team.
A Sobering Reminder for Visitors to One of Indonesia’s Most Popular Marine Parks
Long Pink Beach ranks among the most photographed and visited sites within Komodo National Park, drawing snorkelers and swimmers with its distinctive pink-tinted sand and clear waters. The incident is a reminder that even in calm-looking waters at popular snorkeling spots, currents and depth can shift quickly, and that having medically trained travelers nearby, as happened in this case, can make a critical difference before official rescue teams arrive.