Japanese tourist dies in Cebu: police

January 2, 2020

Morinobu Kuriyama, a Japanese tourist, died while snorkeling at a whale shark area in Oslob, Cebu Thrusday morning, police said.


In a phone interview with The Daily Manila Shimbun, Corporal Nicolas Quijano Jr from the Oslob Police Station said their tourist police unit reported a drowning incident after a snorkeling guide, sought help after Kuriyama suddenly felt ill while snorkeling at a whale shark area in Barangay Tan-awan in Oslob, Cebu around 9am

Based on the guide’s claim, blood came out from Kuriyama’s nose and mouth when he had a hard time breathing.

“He was assisted and pulled out of the sea,” the police officer said.

According to their initial report, Kuriyama was unconscious upon return to the land. The Coast Guard personnel on duty conducted cardio pulmunary resucitation (CPR) but he vomited and was not able to open his eyes.

Kuriyama was immediately brought to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.


The Coast Guard transported Kuriyama's family to the hospital and his wife told the authorities she will give them a copy of his passport once they return to their hotel.


Authorities are still waiting for the medical report to determine the cause of his death. Ella Dionisio/DMS