LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — It was supposed to be the first day of a two-day island-hopping adventure through the waters of Komodo National Park.
Instead, the journey ended in tragedy after a Chinese husband and wife died during a snorkeling stop at Kelor Island, just off the coast of Labuan Bajo.
While authorities have confirmed the couple drowned during the excursion, interviews conducted by Hey Bali News with a local source familiar with the trip provide a clearer picture of how the day unfolded.
A Morning Departure from Labuan Bajo
According to KI, a Labuan Bajo resident familiar with the incident who spoke on condition of anonymity, the group departed Labuan Bajo at around 9 a.m. aboard the tourist vessel Rinca Story.
The couple were among nine guests taking part in a two-day, one-night open-trip package, which was scheduled to visit several islands before spending the night at a homestay on Rinca Island.
“Kelor was the first stop,” KI told Hey Bali News.
Photo: The body of a male tourist from China being found on the afternoon of July 15, 2026, around 4:00 PM on Kelor Island.
Snorkeling at Kelor Island
After arriving at Kelor Island, passengers went ashore before entering the water to snorkel.
According to KI, information relayed from people aboard the tour indicated that the husband and wife were not snorkeling together.
“From what we were told, the husband and wife were apart while snorkeling,” KI said.
Exactly what happened after they entered the water remains unclear.
No one is believed to have witnessed the moment the couple got into difficulty, according to KI.
The Alarm Was Raised Before the Tour Moved On
KI said the emergency only became apparent as the group was preparing to leave Kelor Island and continue to the next destination on the itinerary.
The woman was reportedly found first.
“The female victim was found first,” KI said.
A search then continued for her husband.
His body was not recovered until around 4 p.m., several hours after the initial discovery.
“The husband’s body was found later in the afternoon,” KI said.
Both victims were later transported to Labuan Bajo.
Authorities Continue Investigation
Earlier, Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of the Class III Labuan Bajo Harbormaster and Port Authority (KSOP), confirmed that the victims were two Chinese nationals.
He also stressed that the incident was not a maritime accident, as it occurred after passengers had already disembarked from the tourist boat.
Search and rescue teams evacuated the victims to a hospital in Labuan Bajo.
Authorities have not yet released the cause of the drowning or disclosed whether sea conditions, currents, equipment, or other factors contributed to the tragedy.
As investigations continue, the deaths serve as a sobering reminder that even routine snorkeling excursions in one of Indonesia’s most celebrated marine destinations can carry risks, particularly when the circumstances surrounding an emergency are not immediately noticed.