The victim, believed to be in his 30s, was discovered by divers at a depth of about 17m at 11.33am.

“Police received news of the incident at 9.50am and a marine police team, assisted by divers from a nearby resort, conducted a search and rescue operation.

“The victim was found carrying a grey backpack with three bricks in it. An investigation paper was opened, and it was classified as sudden death,” Semporna police chief Sabri Zainol said in a statement today.

He said an autopsy would be conducted within 48 hours if the next of kin did not come forward to claim the body.