Japanese drowns off Lapu

A 53-year-old Japanese national drowned while snorkeling in a beach in barangay Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, last Monday afternoon.

Police identified the fatality as Michito Morishita, who was temporarily staying at the JWB Hotel in barangay Maribago.

Police said Morishita and a Japenese diving instructor Yuki Kimura started snorkeling off Hadsan Beach Resort around 1 p.m.

Around 3 p.m., Alexander Paquibot, one of the crew of the boat that brought the Japanese to the area which was about seven-feet deep, saw Morishita surface from the water having difficulty in breathing.

The Japanese was fished out of the water and brought to the shore.

An ambulance later arrived and brought Morishito to the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital where attending physicians declared him dead.

Police said Morishita had no external injuries. The body will be autopsied to determine the cause of death.

Kimura said he didn’t know what happened to Morishita while they were snorkeling. He said he was surprised when his companion was rescued.

Police said the Japanese embassy has been informed of the incident. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V.MENDOZA