MANILA, Philippines – Tragedy struck when two Russian tourists lost their lives while scuba diving in the waters south of Manila. They were caught in strong undercurrents, with one suspected to have drowned and another facing a shark attack, according to a statement from a Philippine coast guard official on Friday.
Meanwhile, two others from the same diving group made it back safely to their boat off the coast of Verde Island. This island is a renowned dive site located in Batangas province, shared Capt. Airland Lapitan, the provincial commander of the Philippine coast guard.
Accompanied by a Filipino instructor, the group of four Russians embarked on their journey from Puerto Galera, situated in Oriental Mindoro province, heading towards Verde Island by boat. During their dive, they encountered a perilous undercurrent that swept them away, explained Lapitan.
While two Russian tourists managed to rise to the surface with their instructor, the misfortune hit Ilia Peregudin, 29, and Maksim Melekhov, 39, who went missing. An immediate search operation was launched by the instructor, other local divers, and the Philippine coast guard.
Melekhov was located an hour later, unconscious in the sea, and later declared dead after being taken to a hospital in Batangas.
“The other Russian diver was found amid a shark attack. His right arm was tragically severed, with sharks circling around him,” Lapitan reported. “Attempts were successfully made to retrieve him.”
An investigation is already in motion, with plans for the coast guard to discuss preventive measures regarding such incidents with provincial authorities, particularly focusing on Verde Island and other popular diving destinations, added Lapitan.
