A 50-year-old Taiwanese tourist died after she was believed to have drowned while snorkeling in the waters off Panagsama in Barangay Basdiot, Moalboal town, on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Incident Details
The victim, identified only as Yesia, was snorkeling with her husband, identified only as Chung, in the area. According to the Moalboal Police Station, they received a report of the drowning at 12:30 p.m. from Tourist Police Officer Staff Sgt. Ronilo Quirante, prompting authorities to conduct an investigation.
Chung told police that he got out of the water to rest while his wife continued snorkeling alone. Minutes later, he noticed that she was already unresponsive and unconscious in the sea, prompting him to call for help from nearby guides.
Medical Response
The victim was rushed to Badian District Hospital for treatment. However, the attending physician declared her dead on arrival.
Investigation Findings
Further investigation showed that the couple did not hire the services of a snorkeling guide while swimming in the area. Authorities continued their investigation into the incident.
