The couple from China were however, later found to have just run aground in their kayak and couldn’t paddle their way back due to the low tide, The New Straits Times reported.

The two tourists were rescued by police from a coral reef in Pulau Mabul waters, off the coast of Semporna district.

The two tourists, Qin Yiping, 28 and Zhao Zhe, 26, had caused panic among Mabul Paradise Resort staff when they failed to return following their kayaking outing earlier in the day.

According to the daily, the resort staff immediately informed the police’s Island Forward Operation Base (IFOB) at Pulau Mabul at 8pm.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (EssCom) commander Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said a search team was mounted following the report.

“The speedy action resulted in the discovery of the couple about 500 metres south of Pulau Mabul, at 9pm at a coral reef section,” Wan Bari was quoted as saying by NST.

The couple later revealed that they grew tired from paddling and the kayak ended up stuck on the reef during low tide.

“The kayak got stuck among the coral reefs due to the low tide and they could not return,” Wan Bari said.

He praised the resort staff for their quick response in alerting the security forces that the two tourists were missing.