Authorities in the Maldives are taking measures to raise awareness of safety in the water after a spate of tourist drownings in the island nation.
The tourism ministry said it will work closely with the China embassy as many of the fatal drownings were of Chinese tourists.
"We’ve seen tourists drown in just three feet of water and even in the swimming pool. So we will do more to raise awareness with the embassy. We’ve had a lot of visitors in the last three months. Maybe that’s why there’s an increase in such incidents," a tourism ministry official said.
Seven drownings were recorded in the past six months and there have already been two this year.
However the ministry doesn’t believe that lax safety measures at resorts are to blame.
"If you look at across the world, the resorts in the Maldives are top notch. Such standards are not only measured in the rooms or the linen. If you consider the safety standards and service, Maldives would be right up there among the very best. But these incidents are happening. Resorts continue to brief their guests. I believe if there is a slack in safety measures, these incidents would be much higher."
