By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

It was a sad Christmas Day.
Two drowning in separate incidents were reported on Dec. 25.
Vice President and Justice Minister Elias Camsek Chin identified the fatalities as Spencer Soalablai 21, and Harumi Uchino, 76 a Japanese national.
Chin said that Soalablai’s body was found the next day, Dec. 26 within the area where he was kayaking.
Soalablai with friends went to North Beach Cottage in Choll, Ngaraard for Christmas.
On Christmas morning , he went kayaking with one of his friends.
It was learned that Soalablai kayak overturned when it went out of the reef. The victim was reportedly pulled down by an undertow.
Soalablai’s friend then sought for help.
Uchino meanwhile reportedly drowned while swimming alone at the Palau Pacific Resort beach.
At about 2:15 p.m. the police received a call from a PPR employee.
Uchino is in Palau with his wife and son for a vacation.
Chin said a cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on Uchino to revive him before he was brought to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.