An investigation is underway in Palau after a confrontation between scuba diving guides at a popular dive site led to allegations of physical violence and dangerous interference with diving equipment underwater.
The incident occurred on 9 October 2026 at Siaes Corner, a well-known dive site near Ulong Rock Island in Palau. It involved a South Korean dive guide, a Bangladeshi dive guide and visiting recreational divers, including a Taiwanese singer.
Palau’s Bureau of Tourism and Koror State Government have confirmed that the incident is under investigation, with individuals directly involved temporarily suspended from conducting diving or tourism-related duties while authorities establish what happened.
The allegations have raised serious questions about diver safety, particularly the risks associated with physical confrontations and interference with essential scuba equipment at depth.
What Happened at Siaes Corner?
According to reporting by Palau’s Island Times, Bangladeshi dive guide Sobuj Patwary was accompanying four Taiwanese divers at Siaes Corner on the morning of 9 October when a confrontation developed with another dive guide, identified as a South Korean national known as Romeo.
Patwary alleged that the other guide became involved in a confrontation with one of his guests. When Patwary approached to intervene, he claimed that the guide damaged his mask and removed diving equipment.
Video footage of part of the underwater encounter subsequently circulated on social media, attracting widespread attention within the international diving community.
One of the visiting divers was Taiwanese singer Song Jian-Zhang, also known as Dan Tou, a member of the group Nan Quan Mama.
Song alleged that he was struck underwater and that another diver attempted to remove his mask. He also reported losing his dive computer during the confrontation.
Additional allegations reported by Chinese-language media included the removal of a regulator and a fin during the incident.
These remain allegations made by those involved, rather than findings established by investigators.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
Although the video and allegations have attracted widespread criticism, other divers have challenged the account presented by Patwary and his group.
The Island Times reported that another South Korean diving professional, Haeng Suk Yeom, claimed to have witnessed the encounter and alleged that Patwary had not been following appropriate diving procedures.
According to Yeom, concerns had been raised about the positioning and conduct of the visiting divers near other groups at the dive site.
Other accounts circulated online have suggested that the confrontation followed disagreements about underwater positioning and dive-site etiquette.
These competing claims have not been independently resolved.
Whatever circumstances preceded the confrontation, the incident highlights the importance of maintaining control and avoiding actions that could compromise another diver’s ability to breathe, see or move safely underwater.
Palau Authorities Confirm Investigation
In a joint statement issued on 12 October, the Bureau of Tourism and Koror State Government confirmed that they were aware of the incident and were working with the relevant authorities.
The statement emphasised that the investigation remained ongoing and that no determination of responsibility or fault had been made.
As an interim precaution, individuals directly involved were temporarily suspended from carrying out diving or tourism-related duties pending the investigation’s outcome.
The authorities stressed that the administrative measure was intended to protect visitor safety and did not amount to a finding of wrongdoing.
Further action will be considered once the investigation has been completed.
No confirmed criminal charges or final investigative findings had been established in the reporting reviewed by The Scuba News as of 16 October.
Why Interference With Diving Equipment Is So Dangerous
Unlike an altercation on land, physical interference underwater can rapidly create a serious diving emergency.
A scuba diver depends on uninterrupted access to breathing gas, a functioning mask, buoyancy control and the ability to manage their position in the water.
Removing or dislodging another diver’s regulator can interrupt their breathing supply and create an immediate need to recover the mouthpiece or access an alternative air source.
Interference with a mask can reduce visibility and increase stress, while the loss of a fin can make it more difficult to maintain position or move safely, particularly in current.
An unexpected confrontation can also increase the risk of panic, rapid breathing, uncontrolled ascent or separation from a buddy.
These risks are particularly relevant at dive sites where currents, depth and other environmental conditions demand careful planning and communication.
Professional dive guides have an important responsibility to manage disagreements and potential conflicts without creating additional hazards for the divers in their care.
Investigation Continues
The incident has generated considerable discussion among divers in Palau and internationally, with questions raised about professional conduct, dive-site management and the responsibilities of operators working in shared underwater environments.
For now, the central questions remain unanswered.
Investigators must establish what happened before and during the confrontation, examine the available footage and witness accounts, and determine whether any professional standards or laws were breached.
The Scuba News will continue monitoring developments, including any further statements from Palau’s authorities and the outcome of the investigation.
This report reflects information available on 16 October 2026. The allegations remain under investigation, and no finding of responsibility should be inferred from the precautionary suspensions.
