A diver who went missing off South Korea’s east coast has been found alive after drifting at sea for more than 12 hours, marking a dramatic development in an incident that initially saw both a diver and boat captain reported missing.
The situation first emerged on April 26, when authorities launched a search operation after a diver failed to resurface near Jukbyeon Port in Uljin. The incident, which also involved reports of a missing captain, was previously detailed in The Scuba News’ earlier coverage of the search operation.
A 12-hour drift at sea
According to multiple local reports, the diver, a man in his 50s, became separated from his group during a leisure dive and was carried away by currents.
He was last seen entering the water at approximately 10:33 a.m., prompting an immediate response when he did not return to the surface.
Search efforts continued throughout the day and into the evening, involving Coast Guard vessels and aerial support. The diver was ultimately located late that night after being spotted by a passing vessel and recovered from the water.
He was transported to safety and reported to be in relatively stable condition following the incident.
Search operation and response
Authorities deployed a multi-agency search effort after the diver was reported missing, focusing on the waters off Uljin’s eastern coastline.
The operation extended over several hours, with teams continuing into low-light conditions before the diver was located.
Details released so far indicate that the diver had drifted a significant distance from the original dive site before being found.
What is known about the captain
Initial reports surrounding the incident indicated that a boat captain was also missing, adding complexity to the situation.
Subsequent reporting from Korean media suggests that a missing captain in nearby waters has been found deceased, although it remains unclear whether this individual is directly connected to the same incident involving the diver.
As of now, there has been no clear official confirmation linking the two cases, and authorities have not released detailed clarification on the captain’s identity in relation to the Uljin dive operation.
Situation still developing
While the diver’s rescue provides a confirmed outcome to part of the incident, questions remain regarding the circumstances surrounding the captain.
Further updates are expected as authorities continue to review the events and clarify the details of both cases.
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