Two Russian divers die near Verde Island Passage

The local government of Southern Luzon, Philippines is now looking at the possible restriction of water activities at Verde Island Passage following a fatal strong underwater current, resulting in the death of 2 Russian divers, an official from the Philippine Coast Guard said Friday.

According to the reports, the two fatalities were part of a group of 4 Russians divers who departed from Puerto Galera to Verde Island to do scuba diving in the portion of Pulong Bato. The tourists were swept by a strong current and only two of them were able to get out of the water. The first fatality was taken to a nearby hospital in Batangas City but was declared dead on arrival. A search and rescue team found the second fatality later in the night.