Singapore woman's body found near Indonesian dive site

A Singaporean woman was found dead in Indonesian waters yesterday morning after going missing on a scuba diving trip.

Ms Neo Qiu Ping Vera, 27, was reported missing on Sunday after she disappeared in the waters of Gili Lawa in the Komodo National Park.

The National Search and Rescue Agency Republic of Indonesia told The Straits Times that her body was found near the dive site at 10.55am yesterday. Her body is now at Siloam Hospital in the nearby town of Labuan Bajo.

Indonesian media said that Ms Neo had been on a diving trip run by tour company Komodo Trails with 10 others - five Singaporeans and five Indonesians - as well as a local guide. After diving on Sunday, the group returned to the boat at about 5pm but discovered that Ms Neo had not resurfaced.

The captain waited for about an hour before calling the authorities. As nightfall was approaching, a search could not begin until yesterday morning.

Ms Neo earned her Advanced Adventurer diving certification with Scuba Schools International in December 2014.

A Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said it was in touch with Ms Neo's family and had sent an officer to Labuan Bajo.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 26, 2016, with the headline Singapore woman's body found near Indonesian dive site. Subscribe