Chinese tourist dead in snorkelling accident

A Chinese tourist died in a suspected snorkelling accident yesterday at Alif Dhaal Atoll Vakafaru resort.

According to police media, the 26 year-old male was taken to the hospital at the nearby Dhagethi island, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police said the accident occurred around 11:40am and cause of death is believed to have been drowning.

Local daily Haveeru however reported the resort’s Front Office Manager Abdulla Saeed as saying that the deceased was 25 years-old and was believed to have sustained a head injury after hitting his head on a rock underwater.

Saeed said the tourist was snorkelling in a shallow lagoon and exhibited no external injuries. The injured tourist was first treated at the resort’s clinic before being taken to Dhagethi after his condition deteriorated, the front office manager said.

In January, two Chinese nationals in different resorts were found dead within 48 hours in suspected snorkelling accidents.