|
Rescuers end search for five missing divers
2005-07-23 07:32:11
By Guardian Reporter
Recuers yesterday gave up the search for four Danish scuba divers and their Canadian instructor who disappeared off the Zanzibar coast last week.
The search and rescue mission was ended exactly a week after the group failed to surface at a designated spot in Pemba.
Acting regional police chief Ameir Juma Ameir said searches carried out by helicopter and boat had failed to find any sign of the group which was diving near Misali Island.
The area where the divers disappeared had strong underwater currents that may have dragged and trapped them into submarine caves existing there, Ameir said.
The currents went as far as Mombasa in neighbouring Kenya, Ameir said.
The owner of Swahili Divers, where the instructor worked, said the active search was called off following consultations with the Danish Embassy, Tanzanian authorities and in accordance with maritime law.
The circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain a complete mystery,” Farhat Jah said in a press release.
’Conditions on the day were excellent, the sea was calm and current was light and our expert dive instructor was equipped with all of his usual safety and recognition equipment.’
The operation involved volunteers, police officers and members of Zanzibar’s Special Unit for the Prevention of Smuggling.
|
