SHE HAD WANTED TO SEE THE SUN RISE: 22-yr-old German tourist falls to her death on Mt Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU - A German tourist, 22, is believed to have died after falling from the summit of Mount Kinabalu in Ranau which is 4,095m above sea level, here, this morning.

Before the mishap, the victim, Victoria Paulsen, was believed to be waiting to catch a glimpse of the sun rising at the peak of the mountain with her colleagues, at about 6am.

Ranau district police chief DSP Abdul Rahman Kassim who confirmed the incident said the student from University Xiamen, China was said to have fallen from the Low Peak from a height of about 30m.

He said personnel from the Sabah Parks started to bring down the body of the victim after a report was lodged at the Ranau police headquarters at 7am.

"The victim's body was brought at 6pm and currently placed at the Ranau Hospital mortuary and awaiting port-mortem," he told Bernama, here today.

Abdul Rahman said police would be in contact with the German Embassy for further action.

Rescuers retrieving the body of German tourist who fell to her death from the Mount Kinabalu peak.

Meanwhile, Sabah Parks head of safety and enforcement Thomas Yussop said the victim was believed to have crossed the safety line in order to take pictures of the rising sun.

"The victim is believed to have suffered serious injuries to her head and legs but the actual cause of her death would be investigated," he said.

Mount Kinabalu is the fifth highest mountain in Southeast Asia. – Bernama