Chinese Tourist Drowns After Boat With 9 Tourists Capsized In Sabah

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The incident happened at 10.10am off Pulau Timba-Timba, Semporna, Sabah, reported New Straits Times.

"One of the victims, a 38-year-old man, is believed to have drowned, while eight others were rescued," said Semporna district police chief Supt Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah in a statement yesterday, 5 September.

According to The Borneo Post, the victim has been identified as Lun Bing Li, a tourist from Guangdong, China.

It is understood that other than the nine tourists, three snorkelling guides and a boatman were also on the ill-fated boat.

The boat began to submerge after its engine emitted a loud sound while on a snorkelling excursion in Pulau Timba-Timba.

However, Lun reportedly could not get off the sinking boat, and attempts by the snorkelling guides to assist him were unsuccessful.

The crew members managed to get Lun above the water 10 minutes later. He was rushed to the Semporna district hospital, but a doctor declared him dead upon arrival.

"Police have arrested four men, consisting of a local citizen aged 22 and three foreigners aged between 26 and 40, to assist the investigation. All suspects will be brought to the Magistrate court for remand applications," New Straits Times quoted the district police chief as saying.

If convicted under the provision, the suspects could face up to two years in jail, a fine, or both.

The police advise boat owners to exercise caution while on the water and provide safety equipment, such as life jackets, for their passengers.