Kuala lumpur: A local woman died while diving in the waters off Kampung Salang, Pulau Tioman, last Sunday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rompin police chief Supt Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi identified the victim as Heng Jing Ying, 31, who was participating in the 'Aware Coral' activity organized by Tioman Dive Buddy Centre, Kampung Genting, from July 17 to 18. On July 19, Heng, along with nine other participants, an instructor, and a dive master, joined a fun dive at Seafan, Batu Malang, Pulau Tulai.

Before the dive, participants, all licensed divers, received a briefing on safety procedures and equipment usage. During the dive, Heng was believed to have separated from the group at a depth of 17.6 meters, prompting the instructor to initiate a search. After approximately 30 minutes, she was found on the sandy seabed near the diving site.

Heng was given CPR after being brought onto the boat but showed no response. She was subsequently taken to Kampung Tekek Clinic, where she was pronounced dead. Her body was sent to the Forensic Unit of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) for a post-mortem.

The post-mortem revealed that Heng died from arterial gas embolism (AGE), a condition where gas or air bubbles enter the arterial bloodstream. Police investigations found no criminal elements involved, and the case was classified as sudden death.