In a startling turn of events reported by Madang Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, a suspicious death has occurred on Duad Island, Rivo, located on the North Coast of Madang.
The incident unfolded during the early night hours’ yesterday, leaving the community in grief and prompting authorities, led by Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, to launch an investigation.
The victim, identified as 22-year-old Daniel Willie Kembu, a resident of Duad Island, was reported missing when he failed to resurface during a night dive in the sea.
The tragic incident took place as Daniel, accompanied by two family members, set out for a diving excursion around 8-9:00 pm.
Gabriel Napal, who was present with the deceased during the incident, provided a statement to the police CID team.
According to Napal, the body was discovered in the Nazwan Passage, situated between Sec Island and Wangad Island, which happened to be the last spot where Daniel was seen before the unfortunate incident occurred.
As concern and urgency grew among the group of divers due to Daniel’s prolonged absence from the surface, the two companions, conducted a diligent search, but there was no sign of Daniel emerging from the sea.
After a few minutes of fruitless efforts, the companions decided to return to Duad Island, their place of residence, seeking assistance.
The Madang Provincial Police Commander’s Homicide Team initiated a search party that continued until around 9:00 am on Tuesday.
Tragically, Daniel Willie Kembu’s lifeless body was discovered beneath the sea, lying on the coral reef in the vicinity of where he was last seen diving.
The tragic incident has left the community mourning his untimely demise.
Acting Superintendent Robert Baim’s said the homicide Team conducted an initial investigation, and the family of the deceased has been notified.
As the community grapples with the shock of this tragic event, Baim assures that further investigations will be carried out to determine the circumstances surrounding Daniel’s suspicious death during the night dive.
The Madang PPC, is calling on all local fishermen to exercise health caution when going out for diving or fishing, given the current weather warning issued by meteorological authorities, to avoid such unnecessary deaths.