An Indian tourist drowned after falling from a boat while returning from a scuba diving activity in the waters off Pulau Tioman here on Saturday.
District police chief Superintendent Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said the incident occurred at about 9.50am near Pulau Renggis, off Pulau Tioman, when the victim, Sabiya Shiek, 65, was climbing back onto the boat after completing a “Discover Scuba Diving” activity.
He said Sabiya was accompanied by six family members and two scuba diving instructors.
“After completing the activity, the victim told the instructor that she wanted to return to the boat.
“While climbing the boat ladder with the assistance of her daughter, who was removing her scuba diving equipment, the victim slipped and fell into the sea,” he said in a statement.
The incident was subsequently reported to a scuba diving instructor, who immediately launched a search for her.
Sharif Shai said the victim was later found unconscious on the seabed and brought to Klinik Kesihatan Tekek on Pulau Tioman, where a medical officer confirmed her death.
He said Sabiya was from Tamil Nadu, India, and had arrived on the island with her family yesterday for a four-day holiday at a resort.
According to him, the victim did not hold a scuba diving licence but had participated in the “Discover Scuba Diving” activity. The seabed at the location was estimated to be about seven metres deep.
Her remains were subsequently sent to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan in Kuantan for a post-mortem.
