A plane, fishermen and jet skiers have joined an extended search beginning a third day after three Europeans, including two teenagers, went missing while scuba diving off a south Malaysian island
From The Associated Press
Apr 8, 2022 11:46 am
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — A plane, fishermen and jet skiers joined an extended search that entered the third day Friday for three Europeans, including two teenagers, who disappeared while scuba diving off a south Malaysian island.
Authorities hoped to find them after Norwegian diving instructor Kristine Grodem was rescued on Thursday. She said the four surfaced safely Wednesday afternoon but were later drifted away from the boat and separated by a strong current.
The group dove about 15 meters (50 feet) deep on an island off the town of Mersing in southern Johor state. Grodem, 35, was rescued by a tug about 22 nautical miles (40 kilometers) from the dive site.
The missing divers are Alexia Alexandra Molina, 18, from France; Adrian Peter Chesters, 46, from Great Britain; and his Dutch son Nathen Renze Chesters, 14.
Authorities are deploying a Bombardier jet, which can fly longer and cover a larger area on an extended search, First Adm said. Nurul Hizam Zakaria, Johor Director of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. The plane was in addition to three helicopters, 11 boats and about 100 staff including rescue divers.
Zakaria said members of the public have also lent support, with fishermen and 10 jet skis helping to comb the sea. The weather was reported as fine. “It’s been three days since they disappeared, but we won’t give up. We hope they will all be saved,” Zakaria said.
The search was suspended Friday evening and will resume early Saturday. Navy officials said Grodem is providing training for the other three who are pursuing advanced diving licenses.
The family of French teenager Molina, who lives in Johor, has meanwhile enlisted the help of private boat owners to join the search. Esther Molina, 57, said she was optimistic her daughter, who loves the sea, is still alive.
“My daughter is strong, she is smart. So now we can only wait for the developments,” Esther was quoted as saying by the national news agency Bernama. She said Alexia will be attending a fashion school in Kuala Lumpur next month.
The boatman was arrested for further investigation and diving activities off Mersing were suspended. There are several islands off town that are popular dive sites for locals and tourists alike.
Malaysia’s borders reopened to foreigners on April 1 after being closed for more than two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.