A heartbreaking incident unfolded late Sunday night in South Vella, Western Province, where a young man lost his life while diving for beche-de-mer, according to a report by the Solomon Star.
The young diver, accompanied by his first cousin and a group of peers, ventured out for a night dive near Kimbiri in hopes of collecting beche-de-mer—valuable sea cucumbers often harvested to support local fundraising efforts. In this case, the group had aimed to raise money for a soccer tournament scheduled in Eleoteve.
Equipped with a diving mask and underwater torch, the deceased entered the water alongside his companions. According to accounts from relatives, it wasn’t long before his cousin noticed something alarming: the diver’s torchlight had stopped moving, remaining fixed in one spot.
Realizing something was wrong, the cousin dove down to investigate and discovered the young man unresponsive on the seafloor. With the help of others, he was brought to the surface and transported back to shore by canoe.
Family members say it’s unclear whether any underlying medical issues may have played a role in the tragedy. Local authorities have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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