An elderly Cambodian died of a heart attack while visiting a reef site on Koh Touch Island off Sihanoukville on Saturday.
Phoul Phorsda, the city’s police chief, told The Post that the female victim, Prom Saran, 64, resided in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district.
She was with 20 other tourists who took a boat ride to the island. The boat stopped its engine so that the tourists could snorkel. They were wearing life jackets while a rope was also installed for passengers to prevent drowning.
“She took the boat ride and the owner told all the guests to wear the life jacket properly and a rope was installed for guests to hold on to,” Phorsda said.
He said that before the incident, the victim along with other 20 tourists took a boat ride to Koh Touch Island.
Arriving at the site, the boat operator stopped the engine so that the guests could snorkel. He said after Saran did not return to the boat, the crew grew worried and one of them jumped into the water but found her already dead.
Three members of the crew were called in for questioning, Phorsda said. He identified them as Samut Samit, 36, the boat operator, Samut Mala, 25, and Yem Riem, 21.
Once forensic experts confirmed that Saran had died of a heart attack, her body was handed over to family members.
