Chinese national drowns off Sumilon Island

A 28-YEAR-OLD Chinese national drowned past 10 a.m. Monday, September 11, in the seawaters off Sumilon Island in Oslob, Cebu.

Oslob Police Chief Deni Orbin Pedrozo identified the fatality as Zou Quian. The foreigner was part of the 26 Chinese nationals who arrived in Oslob at 7 a.m.

At 9:30 a.m., the group boarded a motorized wooden boat, which ferried them to the Sumilon Island sandbar.

Pedrozo said the Filipino tour guide instructed the foreigners to wear life vests before swimming. The tourists, including Zou, obliged.

The tourists were later alarmed when they failed to see Zou.

A search led to the discovery of Zou, who was floating lifeless three meters from the water's surface and 18 meters from the sandbar.

Zou was rushed to Oslob District Hospital, where she was declared dead at 10:59 a.m. (KAL/SunStar Cebu)