Two French tourists dead after suffering heart problems near Great Barrier Reef

Two French tourists have died after going into cardiac arrest while snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, off Cairns.

The incidents happened in shallow waters at Michaelmas Cay about 11am as part of a catamaran activity, where 21 elderly French tourists were on board.

Passions of Paradise confirmed the incident and extended its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the French tourists.

“The Passions of Paradise lookout on the beach noticed a man floating in the water and pulled him to the sand cay where he performed CPR. He was then assisted by a doctor on the sand cay," Chief Executive Officer Scotty Garden confirmed in a statement.

“The Passions of Paradise lookout on the boat saw a woman floating in the water and pulled her on to the catamaran where CPR was performed.”

Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Executive Director Colin McKenzie told Yahoo7 that the pair had indicated that they had heart conditions before they got into the water.

"We suspect it was a medical condition but it will be up to the coroner to decide what happened," he said.

“They had pre-existing medical conditions and were accompanied by a guide when they were in the water," Mr Garden added.

He said the elderly pair were among a French group of 21-people on board the catamaran today.

“Passions of Paradise had a lookout on the beach, another on the boat and two snorkel guides in the water. All staff have current qualifications in CPR and first aid,” Mr Garden said.

“The Passions of Paradise lookout on the beach noticed a man floating in the water and pulled him to the sand cay where he performed CPR. He was then assisted by a doctor on the sand cay.”

“The Passions of Paradise lookout on the boat saw a woman floating in the water and pulled her on to the catamaran where CPR was performed.”

“A third person later suffered a medical condition, but has survived.

Water police anchored down at the scene around 3:00pm and are now investigating.

The area is a popular tourist destination site off the coast of Cairns.

Police are heading to the scene to investigate further.

Both tourists were aged in their 60s and were suffering pre-existing medical conditions.

A third French tourist is also believed to have suffered heart problems, but survived.

They were treated by trained staff onboard the Passions of Paradise vessel.

"At this stage, the circumstances surrounding the death are believed to be non-suspicious, but Water Police are en route to the site," a Queensland police spokesman told Yahoo7.

It's unclear what led to the trio going into cardiac arrest.

News break – November 16