(MENAFN- Gulf Times) It was a dream honeymoon weekend for newlyweds Leomer and Erika Joyce Lagradilla in the Maldives, the tourist archipelago in the Indian Ocean where celebrities and social media influencers flock.
It ended in tragedy as the high school sweethearts drowned during a snorkelling session in a resort at the popular Dhiffushi Island.
Maldivian news outlet Raaje.mv quoted sources saying Leomer was already drowning when his bride called for help. When help arrived, they were already unconscious.
The couple were taken by resort workers to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the incident but did not release the couple's names.
In a statement, the DFA said it was in touch with the couples' next of kin and had assured them of assistance in the repatriation of their remains.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, which has jurisdiction over Maldives, had been instructed to co-ordinate with local authorities and in making arrangements for the repatriation of the bodies.
Cato said local authorities were investigating the incident. The couple from Laguna were nurses. Leomer worked in Singapore, while Erika worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were married on December 18 and left Manila for their dream honeymoon on January 9.
On Monday, friends of the couple launched a fundraiser on the website Go Get Funding, to bring back their remains from the Maldives.
According to the fundraising descripCouple on honeymoon drowns in Maldives
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