A scuba diving instructor has died following an incident during a training dive at the famous Zenobia wreck off the coast of Larnaca, Cyprus.
Authorities confirmed that the diver, a 67-year-old Greek-Cypriot instructor, was pulled from the water after encountering difficulties during a dive on the wreck site. According to reporting from Cyprus Mail, emergency services responded to the scene after a distress call was raised during the dive.
The instructor had entered the water with two trainee divers when the situation developed. The trainees surfaced and raised the alarm after noticing the instructor was in trouble underwater. Rescue services were alerted shortly after the incident occurred during the morning dive.
Emergency response teams transported the diver to Larnaca General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities have confirmed that an investigation into the circumstances of the incident is underway.
Officials involved in the rescue included Cyprus’ maritime authorities and emergency response teams coordinated through the island’s search and rescue system, with details of the response reported by Kathimerini Cyprus as part of the initial incident coverage.
One of the Mediterranean’s Most Famous Wreck Dives
The Zenobia wreck is widely considered one of the top wreck dives in the Mediterranean and regularly appears on lists of the world’s best wreck diving sites. The Swedish-built roll-on roll-off ferry sank in 1980 on her maiden voyage after a ballast control system malfunction caused the vessel to capsize just off the coast of Larnaca.
Today the 172-metre ferry rests on her port side in depths ranging from around 16 metres at the shallowest point to more than 40 metres along the seabed. The wreck has become a major attraction for divers visiting Cyprus, offering multiple dive profiles that range from recreational exploration to more advanced penetration dives.
Because of its accessibility and size, the wreck is frequently used by dive centres for training dives as well as guided recreational diving.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not yet released a confirmed cause of death, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the dive are ongoing.
As with many diving incidents, the outcome of the investigation will determine whether the fatality was linked to a medical issue, equipment problem, environmental conditions, or another factor encountered during the dive.
The Zenobia wreck continues to attract divers from around the world, and the incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with scuba diving, even at well-known and frequently visited dive sites.
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