An American tourist is believed to have been killed by a shark during a diving trip in Indonesia, with her remains reportedly found inside a shark’s stomach by fishermen in neighboring East Timor.
Colleen Monfore, 68, from South Dakota, was swept away by strong currents during a boat trip with six friends near Pulau Reong island on September 26, Indonesian authorities said.
“The diving guide was unable to pull her back to the boat,” said Ipda Giovani BM Toffy, chief of police in Southwest Maluku. Rescue teams searched for eight days before suspending efforts on October 3 due to dangerous sea conditions.
On Sunday, a fisherman in East Timor’s Liquisa District discovered human remains inside a shark. Officials reported the body was wearing a black wetsuit and appeared to be that of a Western woman.
Muhammad Saleh Goro, head of the Alor Islands Marine Park management, stated, “We are now investigating the case further to confirm if they are the remains of anyone reported missing in Indonesia.”
The incident has raised concerns about diving safety in the region. Marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen told the Associated Press, “While shark attacks are rare, this tragedy underscores the importance of understanding local conditions and having proper safety measures in place during diving expeditions.”
Indonesian and East Timorese authorities are cooperating to identify the remains and investigate the circumstances surrounding Monfore’s disappearance.
