Search and rescue teams in Taiwan are continuing efforts to locate a 37-year-old man who went missing while free diving near Bitou Cape Park in New Taipei’s Rueifang District. According to a report in the Taipei Times, the diver, identified only by his surname Chuang, entered the water on Friday and failed to return to shore.
The Coast Guard Administration confirmed that its Northern Branch deployed patrol vessels and aerial units in an expanded grid search across the area surrounding Bitou Cape, a popular yet sometimes unpredictable site for both scuba and free diving due to shifting currents and rugged coastal topography.
Family members alerted authorities after losing contact with Chuang, prompting immediate dispatch of search teams. As of Sunday, crews were continuing surface and underwater sweeps, assisted by local volunteers and fishing boats operating nearby.
Bitou Cape, located on Taiwan’s northeastern coastline, is a frequent destination for underwater enthusiasts drawn to its coral gardens and steep drop-offs. However, the region’s open-ocean exposure and sudden weather changes can create hazardous conditions even for experienced divers.
Authorities have urged anyone planning dives in coastal waters to monitor real-time marine forecasts using the Go Oceanapp and to notify local coast guard stations before entering the water.
The CGA stated that the search will remain active until visibility and conditions make further operations impractical. As of the latest reports, no trace of the missing diver has been found.
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