A search and rescue operation involving multiple security agencies is ongoing. Photo: JBPM (Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia)

Two Chinese nationals who were holidaying at Mantanani Island in Kota Belud, Sabah, have been missing since Sunday, according to Malaysian media. Search efforts are currently underway.

Yu Xiaopeng, 25, and Fan Qing, 28, checked into the Sutera Mantanani Resort on Saturday afternoon but did not check out the following day as scheduled. 

However, resort employees found the duo's belongings still inside the room after checkout time, according to the report by Malaysian media The Star.

Witnesses said the man was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and long pants while the woman was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and black knee-length pants, the report said. 

The family of Fan, the missing girl, arrived at the hotel on Tuesday and are cooperating with the police in the investigation and search, Chinese media Shangguan News reported.

A friend of Yu, surnamed Zhang, reached by Chinese media, said a tablet computer was found at his home in China, and by using its location-tracking function, they were able to detect the signal locations of Yu's mobile phone and Bluetooth earphones, according to Hongxing News. 

It showed that the phone's last signal appeared deep in the sea, while one earphone was located in the city area, and the other remained at sea, the report said.

Yu once mentioned to his friend Zhang that he might participate in activities such as snorkeling, watching the sunset or paddleboarding on October 4, according to Hongxing News.

The search and rescue operation has been ongoing, involving 55 personnel from various security agencies, New Straits Times reported. 

Among those participating are the police with a drone unit, General Operations Force and the marine police, the report said. 

Global Times