Two Chinese tourists missing in Sabah

Search Under Way for Two Missing Chinese Tourists in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 10, 2025) — A large-scale search operation is under way for two Chinese tourists who went missing while vacationing on Mantanani Island, off Kota Belud in Sabah.

The missing pair — Mr Yu Xiaopeng, 25, and Ms Fan Qin, 28 — checked into a seaside resort on Oct 4 and were due to check out the following day. 

However, resort staff grew concerned when the couple failed to appear after the checkout time. Upon entering their room, employees found their personal belongings untouched.

Authorities believe the duo may have gone snorkelling before they disappeared. 

A pair of spectacles, thought to belong to one of them, was later discovered on the beach in the northern part of the island, according to The Star.

Police received a missing persons report at about 8pm on Oct 5. 

Since then, a coordinated search involving around 80 personnel from multiple agencies — including police, maritime enforcement, and the fire and rescue department — has been launched, covering land, sea, and air.

Witnesses told police that Mr Yu was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and long pants, while Ms Fan was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and black knee-length pants.

Chinese media reported that the families of both missing tourists have either arrived in Kota Kinabalu or are en route to Sabah to assist with the search.

A friend of Mr Yu's told Southern Metropolis Daily that the pair were "just friends" travelling together for leisure. 

According to the same report, Mr Yu had shared in a WeChat group on Oct 3 that he planned to snorkel, paddleboard, or watch the sunset the following day. His last social media post appeared around 4pm on Oct 4, shortly before heavy rain hit the area.

Another tourist told China Press that she saw Mr Yu wearing a black diving suit and carrying a snorkel while walking along the coast with a woman resembling Ms Fan around 4.30pm that same day.

On Oct 7, Mr Yu's colleagues reportedly used one of his tablet computers to track his devices. 

According to Jimu News, data showed that his phone's last signal came from deep in the sea, while one of his Bluetooth earphones was still in town and the other appeared to be at sea.

As of Oct 10, the search had entered its sixth day with no new leads. 

Authorities continue to comb the surrounding waters and coastline amid hopes of locating the missing tourists.

Source:https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/two-chinese-tourists-missing-in-sabah-duo-believed-to-have-been-snorkelling-before-disappearance