A scuba diving excursion off Verde Island in Batangas City, Philippines, turned tragic on Feb. 27, 2025, when two Russian divers lost their lives. Teh Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that 29-year-old Ilia Peregudin drowned and, according to initial findings, was later attacked by sharks. The incident has led to a temporary suspension of water activities in the area as authorities review safety protocols. The PCG is working with local tourism officials to ensure the safety of future divers.

The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with scuba diving, particularly in areas known for strong currents and diverse marine life. Verde Island, a popular diving destination, is now under scrutiny as officials investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two divers.

Lt. Junior Grade Dawn Baterbonia, spokesperson for the PCGS Southern Tagalog, provided grim details, stating that Peregudin’s cause of death, based on medical records, was “asphyxia secondary to drowning with massive traumatic injuries probably secondary to large predatory attack.” Asphyxia, in medical terms, signifies oxygen deprivation, suggesting the diver drowned before the alleged shark attack.

Baterbonia elaborated on the scene encountered by the responding PCG personnel: “When our personnel from Coast Guard Sub-Station Isla Verde responded, they saw that the Russian diver was already unresponsive and sharks were circling his body.” This incident marks a concerning first for the region, as Baterbonia noted, “This was the first time that such predatory attack happened in that AOR [area of obligation].” The unprecedented nature of the event has prompted a thorough investigation into the factors that contributed to the tragedy.

Captain Airland Lapitan, commander of Coast Guard Station batangas, reinforced the claim of a shark attack, telling radio dzBB, “Our guys conducting the rescue saw the sharks attacking the victim. That’s why they came into that conclusion – that there were sharks who attacked the victim.” The visual confirmation from rescue personnel adds weight to the theory that sharks were involved, although the sequence of events remains under investigation.

The other Russian diver involved, 39-year-old Maksim Melekhov, was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital after what authorities believe was also a drowning incident. The simultaneous deaths of the two divers have sent shockwaves through the local diving community and prompted immediate action from authorities to prevent future incidents.

In response to the tragedy, the PCG Southern Tagalog has recommended a temporary halt to all water activities in verde Island and its surrounding waters. lt.Junior Grade Dawn Baterbonia stated, “our station commanders have coordinated with resort owners and representatives of provincial tourism offices to request that. We are waiting for the decision of authorized offices.” The suspension aims to allow for a comprehensive assessment of the risks and the implementation of enhanced safety measures to protect divers and other water sports enthusiasts.

Beyond the immediate suspension, an extensive review of existing safety policies is underway. The PCG and the Department of Tourism (DOT) are collaborating with local government units (LGUs) and the local diving community to conduct this review. The goal is to identify potential gaps in the current protocols and implement changes that will ensure public safety and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This collaborative effort seeks to create a safer environment for divers and promote responsible tourism practices.

The events leading up to the divers’ deaths unfolded on Feb. 27, 2025, when the PCG received a distress call reporting two missing Russian divers. The divers were part of a larger group that included a Brazilian national and six other russians, along with two master divers, the boat captain, and two crew members. They had embarked on a diving excursion aboard the recreational boat “D’ Ocean Riders,” which departed from De Luna Diving Center in Barangay Aninuan, Puerto Galera.

The group commenced their dive at 1 p.m.,but approximately 30 minutes into the activity,they encountered unexpectedly strong underwater currents. The divers began the activity at 1 p.m. but encountered strong underwater currents 30 minutes into the dive, causing them to be separated. This separation ultimately led to the tragic loss of ilia Peregudin and Maksim Melekhov,highlighting the dangers of unpredictable underwater conditions.