Around 34 nautical miles north-west of the harbour town of Barobo, Filipino fishermen have made a gruesome discovery: 59-year-old German Manfred B. was sitting dead at his chart table in the cabin. His yacht "Sayo", a Jeanneau Sun Magic 44, was drifting without a mast off the Philippine coast.
It is still unclear what caused the sailor's death. So far, there are no indications that he was not at fault. Criminologist and forensic scientist Dr Mark Benecke told the "Bild" newspaper that mummification was possible after a short time due to the high temperatures on site. In his opinion, B. could have suffered a heart attack.
The circumstances speak in favour of a capsize: according to media reports, there was water in the ship and equipment, photo albums and tinned food were floating in the cabin. The skipper may have tried to make an emergency call after the mast broke.
The yacht was towed to the harbour of Barobo on the Mindanao archipelago, and the local police have begun an investigation. The body is now being examined at the forensic centre.
Editor's note: The German Press Council has criticised the original version of this report for violating "sections 8 and 11 of the Press Code". In other words, in the opinion of the Press Council, it disregardedthe right to informal self-determination and the protection of the identity of victims. The Council considered the presentation to be "inappropriately sensational".
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