48-year-old Singaporean doctor dies in Bali diving accident

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) says that MFA and the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta have rendered consular assistance to the deceased's next-of-kin.

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Foreign tourists walk along Kuta beach on the Indonesian resort island of Bali Reuters

A 48-year-old Singaporean woman died on Wednesday after diving at Indonesia's Bali island, the media reported on Saturday. The reports said that the Dr Wong Yu Yi was rushed to the hospital but she was declared dead on arrival. The local police have declined for any comment regarding the cause of death.

Indonesia's BaliPost reported that Dr Wong was at Blue Lagoon, which is located in eastern Bali's port town of Padangbai, with a group of divers on Wednesday. They were all said to be diving at a depth of about 20m at 9.12am when Dr Wong gestured for help. Although the dive leader led her to the surface, but she was unconscious by then.

Alicia Lau, who was Dr Wong's colleague, told The Straits Times that she had worked as an aesthetic doctor at a CSK Clinics branch at Novena Medical Centre. Lau, an executive at CSK, said Wong had worked there for about five years. "We just knew about it yesterday, my boss informed all of us," she added.

A spokesman for ClearSK Healthcare Group that runs the clinic chain said Dr Wong was one of its senior doctors and had worked at CSK Clinics for five years. According to the spokesman, Dr Wong was highly qualified with a Masters in Medicine, but decided to focus on aesthetic medicine five years ago.

"As a senior doctor, she was a highly responsible person, and would put in the best effort for our customers," the spokesman told The Straits Times. "For this, we truly appreciate her years of contribution to CSK Clinics and we believe even our dear customers will be missing her presence. Dr Wong will be missed greatly."

She further said that Dr Wong was married to a surgeon and had three children. Reportedly, Dr Wong was a lively and active person, and enjoyed scuba diving, photography and playing the guitar.

According to her Facebook profile and her profile on healthcare website Practo.com, Dr Wong studied at the National University of Singapore, National Junior College and CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman said that MFA and the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta have rendered consular assistance to the deceased's next-of-kin. "We extend our condolences to the bereaved family," the spokesman told The Straits Times.

In July, a similar incident took place when Singaporean diver Rinta Paul Mukkam went missing during a diving trip off Indonesia's Komodo Island. Although the authorities launched a 10-day search operation but her body is yet to be found.

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