KOTA KINABALU: A foreign tourist drowned while eight others were rescued after their boat capsized off Sabah’s east coast Semporna district.

       The incident occurred at the Timba-Timba island waters at about 10.10am on Monday.

       Semporna OCPD Supt Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said police received a report on the incident at about 4pm on the same day.

       He said following this, four men comprising a local, aged 22, and three foreigners, aged between 26 and 40, were detained to assist in the investigation.

       “One of the victims – a 38-year-old man – drowned while eight other tourists were rescued during the incident,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       He said the four men would be brought to the Magistrate’s Court to be remanded.

       Supt Mohd Farhan said investigations would be carried out under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence.

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       Those found guilty face two years in jail, a fine or both.

       He said police were still investigating how the boat had capsized.

       “We advise boat owners to be more careful by preparing safety equipment such as life jackets for their passengers,” he said.

       Those with information on the incident should contact the investigating officer Insp Khadijah Mohd Seruji at 019-871 8002 or the nearest police station.