MALDIVES (30 Nov 2008) — A Chinese tourist has on Thursday been found dead after going snorkeling with his wife while on honeymoon at Thulhagiri Island Resort. The body of 32-year old Chen Jiashi was found washed up on the shores of a nearby resort twenty-four hours after resort staff saw the couple leave their room carrying snorkel gear. His wife, Zhang Lilan, 30, has not been found, despite a diving search after they were reported missing by the resort. According to police and resort officials, the couple were last seen alive around 8.30am on Wednesday with snorkeling equipment on the island. Abdulla Mifathah, Sales and Reservations Manager at Thulhagiri, said he believed the two had been swept away in rough seas and drowned. "I am sure there is no foul-play involved…The man drowned. When he was found, there were some scratches and injuries on his face from the reef, but no other visible injuries," he said. "The woman has not been found, so we cannot say for sure whether she also drowned. But that's what we think happened," he added. Mifathah said Wednesday was "a very rough day" and that guests were advised not to snorkel during bad weather, or to report to reception if they were. Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) began a surface search for 24 miles around the north of the island after the resort reported the couple missing on Thursday when they failed to return to their rooms the previous evening. Divers also undertook a search of 1300 meters at a depth of 35 metres from north to south and at a depth of 35 meters, and three reefs near the resort were checked, according to officials from the MNDF. Soon into the search, Chen's body was found at 9.32am on Thursday in the lagoon of Kaaf atoll Sonevagili. The couple arrived last Monday for their honeymoon, according to Mifathah. The woman is around five foot and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, according to police. | 
