One dead after tour boat capsizes off Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Cambodian news outlet Khmer Times reports that one person is confirmed dead after a tourist shuttle boat capsized near the city of Sihanoukville in Cambodia on Monday, December 30.

The incident occurred on the evening (local time) of Monday when the shuttle boat was transporting tourists from another vessel in the waters off Sihanoukville's Hawaii Beach.

The shuttle boat suddenly overturned with its 17 passengers, all of whom are Chinese nationals, ending up in the water. The boat's captain immediately picked up 16 survivors but could not locate the last missing passenger.

The body of the deceased missing individual, a 31-year-old male, was found floating in the water at around 13:00 on Wednesday, January 1, about 1.5 kilometres from where the capsizing had occurred.

Local authorities have begun an investigation to determine whether negligence or breaches of safety regulations were to blame for the incident.

Officials have meanwhile advised tourists to be mindful of their safety when riding on boats or participating in other water-based activities.