A 60-year-old diver was injured after a diving cylinder reportedly failed aboard a rigid inflatable boat off the Italian island of Procida on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
The incident occurred near Punta Pizzaco, according to ANSA. Initial reports indicate that the cylinder failed suddenly with a loud report, and that the force of the incident threw the diver into the water.
The man, who lives in the province of Naples, was recovered and taken aboard the boat to Marina Grande, where emergency medical personnel were waiting.
He remained conscious but had sustained facial injuries and a reported abdominal trauma. After initial assessment and treatment at Procida hospital, he was transferred by helicopter to Naples for further care.
The initial ANSA report stated that the diver was not believed to be in life-threatening condition. No more recent authoritative medical update has been confirmed.
Cause of cylinder failure under investigation
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. Local reporting by InterNapoli states that the Italian Coast Guard is investigating the incident to establish the exact sequence of events and the cause of the cylinder failure.
There is currently no confirmed information about the cylinder’s make, age, inspection history, filling pressure or the component that failed. The gas contained in the cylinder has also not been established.
Although some reports have described the incident as an explosion, the available information does not establish the precise technical nature of the failure. It is also important to note that the incident occurred aboard the boat, not underwater.
The Scuba News will update this report if further information becomes available from the authorities or the diver’s medical team.
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