Search Failed for Missing OIST Diver

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) reported a diving incident on Friday which resulted in one of its two divers gone missing in Ie-Suido channel off the coast of Okinawa.

Namely, on November 14 a diver, Shohei Suzuki, did not return to the surface after a dive to install scientific equipment. The coastguards, police, fire rescue service and local fishermen made a surface search for the missing diver and the coastguards carried out underwater searches until forced to stop by nightfall.

On Tuesday, November 15, both surface and underwater searches continued throughout the day. On the next day the incident area was again searched, but the coastguard search has now been called off, and attempts to find the missing diver have failed.

Reportedly, the second diver involved in the incident, Koichi Toda, has been released from hospital and is making satisfactory progress.