Tourist dies after losing consciousness during Tioman scuba dive

KUANTAN, Oct 1 — In a tragic incident, a 55-year-old Afghan man lost his life while participating in a scuba diving activity off the coast of Kampung Salang on Pulau Tioman, reported Rompin police chief Supt Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi. The victim, Mohammed Seyar Musazay, who lived in California, United States, succumbed to his injuries at the Kampung Tekek Health Clinic around 12.40pm.

Initial investigations revealed that Musazay was on a holiday with his 24-year-old daughter from Kuala Lumpur, staying at a chalet in Kampung Salang since September 26. On the day of the incident, at approximately 11am, Musazay, his daughter, and a scuba instructor embarked on a Discovery Scuba Diving (DSD) activity. After brief instruction on the use of diving equipment, they proceeded to the beach for practical training and eventually ventured into the sea for the dive.

The dive lasted around 20 minutes at a depth of six meters; Musazay appeared to be in good health prior to the activity. However, upon resurfacing, the instructor noticed him struggling to reach the surface about three meters away. Upon closer inspection, the instructor found that Musazay's breathing apparatus (regulator) had detached from his mouth, and the victim was unconscious.

Musazay was immediately taken to the beach and later transported by a villager's boat to the Kampung Tekek Health Clinic, where he was pronounced dead. The victim's body was subsequently taken to Teluk Gading by a Marine Police boat and subsequently sent to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) in Kuantan for a post-mortem examination.