Scuba Diver in His 50s Dies After Going Missing Off Bijindo Island, Tongyeong
Two scuba divers went missing off Bijindo Island near Tongyeong, South Korea on April 16. A man in his 30s was rescued unharmed, but a man in his 50s was found in cardiac arrest and later died in hospital.
A scuba diving excursion off Bijindo Island near Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province ended in tragedy on April 16, 2026, when a man in his 50s died after going missing underwater.
What Happened
At approximately 1:02 PM on April 16, the captain of a 5-ton motorboat reported to the Tongyeong Coast Guard that two scuba divers who had entered the water at around 11:30 AM had failed to surface at their scheduled exit time.
The Tongyeong Coast Guard immediately deployed patrol vessels and aircraft to search the area. At 1:27 PM — approximately 25 minutes after the initial report — a man in his 30s, identified as Mr. A, was located on rocky shore approximately 400 meters from the point where the divers had entered the water. He was conscious and reported to be in stable condition with no life-threatening injuries.
Search teams continued looking for the second diver. At 2:47 PM, a man in his 50s, identified as Mr. B, was found in the water approximately 500 meters from the original entry point. He was in cardiac arrest when discovered.
Rescue Efforts and Outcome
Emergency responders performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Mr. B at the scene and during transport to a nearby hospital. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Investigation
The Tongyeong Coast Guard is investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Authorities are questioning the boat captain and others involved to determine the planned dive schedule, communication protocols, and the reason for the reported delay between the divers' scheduled surfacing time and the emergency call.
The exact cause of Mr. B's death has not been officially determined. Factors under investigation may include dive depth, air supply management, underwater currents, and whether proper buddy diving protocols were followed.
Safety Reminder
This incident highlights the critical importance of dive planning, buddy system adherence, surface monitoring by boat operators, and prompt emergency reporting. The Korean Coast Guard recommends that all recreational divers dive within their certification limits, maintain continuous buddy contact, and ensure that surface support personnel are aware of scheduled dive times and have clear emergency protocols in place.