An uptick in drowning deaths has prompted Maldives Police to send a warning to tourists urging them to exercise caution.
The announcement comes after a Russian tourist died during a diving trip this past weekend, as reported in the Maldives Times. Police said that it is unclear how the 40-year-old woman died or where the incident occurred.
In a separate incident, it was a close call for a Pakistani tourist who was rescued from drowning near the Thulusdhoo Island in Kaafu Atoll.
According to police, the man was treated a local health facility.
A statement from safety officials is warning people, mainly tourists, to use safety precautions during swimming or water sports activities because the most recent incident marks the fifth death of a tourist this year.
Most recently, an 84-year-old man from the Czech Republic was found dead near the island lagoon near the paradise resort where he was staying.
Police suspect the man died as a result of drowning.
Right before his death, A 66-year-old South Korean tourist at the same resort drowned while snorkeling.
A couple from the Philippines drowned while swimming near the Dhiffushi Isan in Kaafu Atoll, according to the Maldives Times.
The 29-year-old woman and 30-year-old man were recently married and visiting the island for their honeymoon. They were staying at a local guest house during their stay. Both bodies were repatriated to the Philippines on Saturday, as reported in the Maldives Independent.
As tourism to the Maldives increases, tourism officials have launched inspections and are expected to review regulations amid these drowning incidents. Currently, discussions are taking place with island councils to designate safe swimming areas.
Unlike resort islands, tourists who stay at guesthouses on local islands are often unaccompanied when they go swimming or snorkeling.
