A man in his 60s did not resurface while scuba diving near Dongsan Port in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, on October 17, and the coast guard launched a search.
The Gangneung Coast Guard said it received a report at about 12:32 p.m. on October 17 that a man in his 60s, identified only as A, had not come back up while taking part in underwater leisure activities about 1.5 kilometers east of Dongsan Port in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province. According to Kyunghyang Shinmun and Segye Ilbo, he had been diving with several companions. Segye put the number of divers at seven, but the wording leaves unclear whether A was counted among them.
광고 문의 · 300×250The coast guard sent three vessels, including a patrol ship and a coastal rescue boat from a local station, along with one helicopter and a marine disaster rescue unit. An official said the search was continuing. Some outlets reported that the coast guard would resume the search on October 18 after pausing overnight.
What remains unconfirmed
How A failed to surface, the water depth, weather and sea conditions, and whether any equipment problem was involved had not been disclosed in the reports reviewed. Who made the initial report was also unconfirmed. The coast guard is expected to look into the circumstances using companions' accounts and equipment checks, but no specific investigation plan has been announced.
Dive safety in context
Scuba accidents recur along Korea's east coast in every season. In April, a diver reported missing off Uljin was rescued near Samcheok after drifting for about 12 hours and was said to be in good health, according to Herald Business. In maritime searches, currents and water temperature often move a missing person, so the initial search area and the resources committed can affect the outcome, coast guard officials have said in past cases.
As general background, recreational diving practice calls for a buddy system in which pairs check on each other, advance notification and equipment checks, and confirmation of weather at the site. Whether these steps were followed in this case has not been confirmed. The coast guard is expected to provide more detail on the circumstances along with the results of the October 18 search.