A Malaysian scuba diver has died following an emergency during a dive at Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida, with Indonesian police investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Siti Nuraini Binti Rusidi, 39, was diving in the waters around Nusa Penida on Wednesday, September 16, when the incident occurred during the group’s second dive of the day.
Update: Victim Was an Experienced Rescue Diver
Further information has emerged about Siti Nuraini Rusidi following the initial reports of the incident.
A friend who was part of the diving trip has told Malaysian media that Siti held a Rescue Diver certification and had logged more than 50 dives. He also said she had previously dived at Crystal Bay on three occasions.
The friend, identified as Firdaus, described Siti as healthy, well-rested and cheerful before entering the water. He said she had shown no signs of illness during the activity and disputed reports that she had been coughing.
His account differs from information initially released by Bali Police, which stated that a guide noticed Siti coughing before the group’s first dive at Manta Bay and asked whether she was well enough to continue.
The differing accounts have not been independently resolved. The precise cause of Siti’s death remains under investigation.
According to an account released by Bali Police, Siti was diving with a group that visited both Manta Bay and Crystal Bay.
The group began its first dive at Manta Bay at approximately 8am local time.
Police said a guide noticed Siti coughing before the dive and asked whether she was well enough to continue. She reportedly said that she was able to participate, and the dive at Manta Bay was subsequently completed without incident.
Group Continued to Crystal Bay
The divers arrived at Crystal Bay at around 11am for their second dive.
Before entering the water, the guide again checked whether Siti wanted to participate or remain aboard the boat. According to the police account, she chose to continue with the dive.
Conditions underwater then became more challenging.
Police said the group encountered a strong current, followed by another stronger current that separated several members of the group. Some divers were carried away from their original position.
After conditions eased, Siti was found underwater with another group being led by a different guide.
Emergency Underwater
According to police, the second guide saw Siti signal that she was out of breathing gas and observed that she appeared to be panicking. She reportedly removed her regulator.
The guide supplied his own breathing equipment, ensured that it was in place and assisted her towards the surface.
Once Siti reached the boat, witnesses reported seeing foam coming from her nose and mouth, although she was initially still responsive.
She was immediately transported towards Dive Concepts Lembongan so that she could receive medical attention. By the time personnel from Nusa Medika Clinic met the group, however, she was no longer responding.
She was pronounced dead while being transported from Crystal Bay towards Lembongan.
Her body was subsequently transferred by boat to Sanur and taken to Bali Mandara Hospital.
Cause of Death Under Investigation
Nusa Penida Police Chief Kompol I Ketut Kesuma Jaya said on Thursday that investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
Police have inspected the location and taken statements from the dive guides, boat captain and other divers who were present.
An initial medical assessment reportedly indicated respiratory arrest, but authorities have stressed that the precise cause of death has not yet been established.
That distinction is important. Although strong currents formed part of the sequence of events described by witnesses, there is currently no official finding that the current caused Siti’s death.
Some early reports also differ over whether an autopsy will be carried out. One report said the family planned to request one, while a later police statement said that no formal autopsy request had yet been received.
More recent reporting in Malaysia said Siti’s remains were at Bali Mandara Regional General Hospital and that a post-mortem examination was expected to be carried out. Her friend said Indonesian authorities had also taken statements from witnesses, rescuers and members of the group as part of the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing.
