LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia – Two Chinese tourists died while snorkeling near Kelor Island, one of the most popular stops on island-hopping tours from Labuan Bajo, authorities said on Wednesday.
The victims, an adult man and woman, were among nine passengers traveling aboard the tourist boat Rinca Story, according to Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of the Class III Labuan Bajo Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP).
“The victims were two Chinese tourists,” Stephanus said.
He said the group had sailed to Kelor Island before the two visitors went ashore and entered the water to snorkel.
“They had already disembarked on the island,” he said, stressing that the incident was not a maritime accident involving the vessel.
Search and rescue teams evacuated both tourists to a hospital in Labuan Bajo, but they could not be saved.
Authorities have not released further information on what caused the drowning, and the incident remains under investigation.