Vietnam waterfall deaths: Tributes paid to Royal Navy sailor among 3 dead after 'unauthorised' Datanla tour

Tributes have been paid to a Royal Navy sailor, who was one of three Brits who died after taking what is thought to have been an unauthorised tour to climb waterfalls in Vietnam. Police in Lam Dong are questioning a local man to establish if he was a local resident or a guide that took the trio on the tour.

The body of Christian Sloan, 25, from Deal in Kent, was found downstream from the Datanla waterfalls in central province, popular with backpackers keen on canyoning or white water rafting. The falls reach over 20m high. Early reports suggest that one member of the group fell, taking the other two with them.

Two women, reported to be aged 19 and 25, were also found by emergency teams near the waterfall. The identities of the women have not been revealed as of yet and the bodies are to be moved to Ho Chi Minh City in the next few days.

In a statement Mr Sloan's family said that he died "whilst living his dreams". They said: "Christian's death is a very sad loss to us. He was a very popular young man, formerly in the Royal Navy, who had many, many friends not just locally but around the world."

Deputy Chairman of Lam Dong province, Nguyen Van Yen, was leading the operation to recover the bodies. He told the BBC: "When we found the bodies, we found their helmets and safety jackets but no ropes.

"According to our initial investigation, after visiting the Datanla waterfalls, they went to the forest to another area for canyoning. On their way, they passed through a stream which flowed into a waterfall. Unfortunately a person slipped, taking the other two with them."

The UK Foreign Office said: "We are providing support to the families of three British nationals following their deaths near Da Lat, Vietnam. Our sympathies are with their families and friends at this difficult time. We are in close contact with local authorities in Vietnam on their behalf."