A Chinese couple have died after being swept away by large waves while snorkelling near Komodo National Park, one of Indonesia’s most popular tourist destinations.
According to local authorities, the incident occurred on Wednesday (July 15). Rescue personnel recovered one of the victims and rushed the individual to hospital, where doctors later pronounced them dead. A joint search and rescue team subsequently located the second victim’s body in nearby waters.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate the couple were swept away by strong waves while snorkelling. Authorities also confirmed that neither of them was wearing a life jacket, and they were not under the supervision of a guide when they entered the water.
The incident remains under investigation.
A Chinese tourist, surnamed Liu, who witnessed the tragedy, told mainland media that the woman was rescued first before being given emergency treatment onshore for more than 10 minutes. She was later taken to hospital, while the man was still missing at the time.
Another witness said the man’s body was recovered by rescue teams at around 4pm, adding that both victims had died.
A traveller who had previously snorkelled in Komodo said some visitors choose not to wear life jackets or fins because many snorkelling areas appear shallow. However, the waters around Komodo are known for their strong currents and unpredictable sea conditions, making proper safety equipment essential.
Another tourist from Guangdong, who visited Komodo last year, said the local diving industry lacks consistent safety management. She noted that it is common for two local guides to supervise around 10 tourists, with numerous boats dropping visitors into the same snorkelling area.
She added that the sea is deep and waves can be strong, making it easy for inexperienced swimmers to become separated from their guides, particularly due to language barriers.
