Filipino couple on honeymoon drowns in Maldives

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino couple on their honeymoon drowned to death in the Maldives, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

The 29-year-old wife and the 30-year-old husband were reportedly snorkeling when they started drowning, according to authorities. The couple were staying at a resort in Dhiffushi island.

"Both were rescued by resort workers but were pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. Authorities were reported to be investigating the incident," DFA spokesperson Elmer Cato said in a statement.

According to a report from Raajjee Television, the man started drowning first while his wife started to call for help upon seeing him drowning.

The Filipino couple were both motionless when rescuers reached them on a dinghy afloat the surface of the water.

The couple were married on Dec. 18, 2018 and left Manila for their honeymoon last January 9, the DFA said.

The DFA has expressed its sympathies to the families of the couple and is keeping in touch with their next of kin to extend assistance in the repatriation of their remains. — Patricia Lourdes Viray