Indian tourist drowns after falling from boat off Pulau Tioman

 

District police chief Superintendent Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said the victim was later found on the seabed in an unconscious state. PIC COURTESY POLICE

ROMPIN: An Indian tourist drowned after falling from a boat in the waters off Pulau Tioman here today.

District police chief Superintendent Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said the incident occurred at about 9.50am when the victim, Sabiya Shiek, 65, was climbing back onto the boat after taking part in a "Discover Scuba Diving" activity near Pulau Renggis, off Pulau Tioman.

He said the victim was with six family members and accompanied by two scuba diving instructors.

"After completing the activity, the victim informed the instructor that she wanted to return to the boat.

"While climbing the boat's ladder, assisted by her daughter, who was removing her scuba diving equipment, the victim slipped and fell into the sea.

"The incident was then reported to a scuba diving instructor, who initiated a search for the victim," he said in a statement.

Sharif Shai said the victim was later found on the seabed in an unconscious state.

She was taken to Klinik Kesihatan Tekek on Pulau Tioman, where a medical officer confirmed that she had died.

He said Sabiya was from Tamil Nadu, India, and had arrived on Pulau Tioman with her family yesterday for a four-day holiday at the resort.

He said the victim did not have a scuba diving licence and had taken part in the "Discover Scuba Diving" activity.

"The seabed at the location is estimated to be seven metres deep," he said.

The victim's remains were sent to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan in Kuantan for a post-mortem. - NST