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British man, 63, dies snorkelling on Australia's Great Barrier Reef amid spate of tourist tragedies

A 63-year-old British tourist in Australia died while snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef  - the fifth death in the famous marine reserve in just three months.  

The man, who has not yet been named, was on a day trip to see the reef’s underwater marine life and was snorkelling just 16 feet from a boat when he died suddenly at about 12.15pm on Wednesday.  

He was thrown a life rung but could not be saved. 

Local tour operators suggested that the man died of a heart attack but the cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

The incident follows a series of deaths in the region, prompting speculation that some of the fatalities may have been caused by Irukandji jellyfish – one of the world's most venomous creatures.

In November, a 60-year-old British man and two French tourists died within days of each other while diving and snorkelling in spots north of Cairns.

At the time, experts in Australia speculated that the three may have been stung by the tiny jellyfish, which are the size of a small fingernail.

“The possibility does exist that it may have happened, with the sting creating very high blood pressure, which would then cause damage to the heart and arteries,” Peter Fenner, an  expert on marine medicine, told The Cairns Post.

The investigation into the cause of deaths of the three tourists is believed to be still underway.

Tour operators and state officials are due to meet on February 23 to discuss the recent fatalities. Ten deaths occurred last year on the reef, which is the world’s largest living ecosystem.

Most of the victims involved elderly people who were believed to have had pre-existing medical conditions.

The latest death occurred while the British man was snorkelling at Moore Reef, a popular spot about 25 miles off Cairns.

Police said they were investigating the death and will prepare a report for the coroner.