Nearly two weeks after two Chinese tourists drowned while snorkeling off Labuan Bajo, investigators have revealed a critical detail that may explain why safety warnings never reached them in time: neither victim spoke fluent English, and the safety briefing meant to protect them was delivered in a language they likely couldn’t fully understand.
The finding emerged as the victims’ family, who remain in Labuan Bajo, formally seeks compensation from the tour operator and boat owner responsible for the fatal excursion.
A Family Seeking Compensation
“Yes, the family is requesting coverage for hospital costs, the cargo shipping of the bodies, and cremation expenses,” said Budi Widjaja, a volunteer liaison for the Chinese Consulate General in Bali, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. A team from Labuan Bajo Polytechnic has also served as a volunteer liaison supporting the family throughout the process.
Mediation over compensation is being facilitated by West Manggarai Police, with the bodies of the two tourists having already been flown to Bali on July 25 for cremation.
Budi declined to disclose the specific amount of compensation the family is seeking. The parties being asked to pay are PT Indomuka Travel Indonesia, the tour operator, and the owner of the open-deck vessel KM Rinca Story.
Mediation has continued over the past three days without reaching a resolution. “I’m still waiting for the final report,” Budi said.
Iptu Leonardo Marpaung, Head of West Manggarai Police’s Water and Air Police Unit, confirmed the mediation process but declined to weigh in on how compensation should be divided between the two parties. “We are not in a position to determine the amount or percentage split of compensation, for example, a 50:50 arrangement between the travel agent and boat owner. That is entirely a matter for the parties to negotiate,” Leonardo said.
He emphasized that if informal settlement efforts fail, the criminal justice process will proceed in full. “We will complete the case file and refer it to the prosecutor’s office to ensure justice and legal certainty,” he added.
Background: A Honeymoon That Ended in Tragedy
As previously reported, the two Chinese tourists, a married couple named Guo Xingyou, 29, and Sha Gingyang, 30, died while snorkeling in the waters off Pulau Kelor, Labuan Bajo, on Wednesday, July 15, while visiting the region on their honeymoon. They are believed to have been swept by currents on the western side of the island, leading to extreme exhaustion. Their bodies remained in Labuan Bajo for 11 days before finally being flown to Bali on July 25.
Police Reveal the Language Barrier
Investigators from West Manggarai Police’s Water and Air Police Law Enforcement Unit are continuing their investigation into the deaths, and have identified a language barrier as a key factor in how the tragedy unfolded. Both victims were reportedly not fluent in English.
“Initial investigative findings indicate a communication barrier during the delivery of safety instructions,” Leonardo said. “The victims were known to lack strong English communication skills, so it’s strongly suspected the safety message was not effectively conveyed to them.”
A Trip Without Proper Supervision
The investigation has also surfaced troubling details about the level of guidance provided to tourists that day. According to Leonardo, upon arriving at Pulau Kelor, tourists were not accompanied by a certified professional tour guide. Instead, they received instructions only from a student from SMKN 1 Labuan Bajo who was completing a field-work internship.
During the snorkeling activity itself, the two victims were equipped only with diving masks and fins, no life jackets. “Neither boat crew nor a guide directly supervised the water while the two victims were swimming in that area of dynamic currents,” Leonardo said.
14 Witnesses Questioned, No Suspects Yet
Investigators have so far questioned 14 witnesses, including the boat captain, crew members, the boat owner, the travel agent, eyewitnesses, and other relevant parties. No suspects have yet been named in connection with the deaths.
“Questioning has covered the captain and crew regarding operational procedures, the shipping agent regarding the passenger manifest, the boat owner, the travel agent, and relevant regulators,” Leonardo said.
Investigators have also sought statements from the Head of the Tourism Office and a representative from the West Manggarai Regency Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP), examining the legality of the vessel’s operating permits. “A tourist who was an eyewitness at the scene has also been questioned as a key witness,” Leonardo said.
The Legal Basis for the Investigation
The criminal investigation centers on suspected operational negligence by the tour boat that led to the two tourists’ drowning deaths. “This investigation is focused on suspected violations of Article 474 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP), relating to negligence resulting in the loss of another person’s life,” Leonardo concluded.
Why This Case Matters for International Travelers
For non-English-speaking tourists visiting Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, a growing destination for Chinese, Korean, and other Asian markets, this case raises a pointed question about whether standard English-language safety briefings are sufficient protection at all. It also reinforces a pattern already flagged in earlier reporting on this case: unlicensed guides, missing life jackets, and unsupervised swimming in areas with known dynamic currents. Together, these findings suggest the tragedy wasn’t simply bad luck, but the result of multiple, compounding safety failures, any one of which, properly addressed, might have kept Guo and Sha alive.
For travelers booking boat tours in the region, particularly those not fluent in English, confirming in advance whether safety briefings will be provided in a language they understand, and insisting on proper safety equipment and supervision regardless of what’s offered by default, may be one of the most important precautions available.
