Chinese tourist, 61, dies while diving in Indonesian sea

A Chinese tourist died after diving off an island in Indonesia.

Zhou Wei Gang, 61, and 10 other visitors went diving near Kupa Island in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara province, on the morning of September 10.

The holidaymaker enjoyed the cool waters as he plunged to a depth of 82 feet for around 33 minutes before resurfacing. However, while on the boat trip home, he suddenly complained that he felt weak and dizzy. He then began vomiting before fainting.

Boat captain Reynaldi Chiristovurus Weras, 25, tried reviving the Chinese man but he still failed to wake up.

Reynaldi said: 'When the tourist resurfaced, he was still well enough to chat. However, I noticed he looked pale and ill while riding the boat.'

Supriyanto Ridwan, Head of the Maumere Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, said the rescue team received a distress call from the boat's crew.

Upon arrival on the mainland, a medical team from the Port Health Office checked Zhou and found he had no pulse. They attached a respirator and rushed him to the Kalabahi Regional Hospital, where he was later declared dead.

Rescue head Supriyanto said: 'The victim was evacuated from the KLM 02 lifeboat to the shore and immediately taken to the Kalabahi Regional Hospital using an ambulance. Upon arrival at the Kalabahi Regional Hospital, the victim was immediately observed by the medical team and the results showed that the victim had no pulse.'

Alor Police Station officers said they were conducting investigations and questioning. They said they were also co-ordinating with immigration authorities to arrange for the repatriation of Zhou's body.

Local media reported that the Kalabahi Regional Hospital has not released Zhou's cause of death.

On August 11, a New Zealand university professor drowned while snorkeling off a beach in the same province.

Dr James Hou Fu Liu, 62, reportedly insisted on swimming some 330 feet from the sea to Pink Beach in Labuan Bajo, despite warnings from tour guides. He was 30 feet off the coast when he faltered and drowned.