A diver has died and another remains missing after a large section of cliff collapsed into the sea near the lighthouse in Biarritz, France, during a dive on Wednesday evening.
According to local authorities, three divers were at the base of the cliff when the collapse occurred at approximately 8:20 p.m. local time. One diver escaped without physical injury and alerted emergency services, while rescue teams launched an immediate search for the other two.
Rescuers later recovered the body of a female diver, while the search for the second missing diver resumed on Thursday with specialist rescue divers, boats and other emergency personnel. As of publication, the missing diver had not been located.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of either diver.
Officials have established a 300-metre exclusion zone around the affected section of coastline, prohibiting public access, swimming and boating because of concerns that further rockfalls could occur.
The collapse happened beneath the cliffs close to the Biarritz lighthouse, one of the best-known landmarks on France’s Atlantic coast. Biarritz is internationally recognised for its beaches, surfing and coastal scenery, with divers and swimmers also regularly visiting the area.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, and investigators are expected to examine the stability of the remaining cliff before normal access is restored.
Emergency services remained at the scene throughout Thursday as the search operation continued.
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