Tragedy as two dead in ‘diving baptism’ in Spain

Tragedy as two dead in ‘diving baptism’ in Spain’s Calafell in Tarragona. The two men age 50 and 56 years old died on Sunday August 8, in what is being called a diving baptism accident. The baptism dive is where unqualified divers are taken underwater for the first time with plenty of qualified supervision.

A series of questions have reportedly been raised over these deaths including whether a form of free diving was being practised first. The accident occurred around 200 metres from the shore, as reported La Vanguardia.

The group had been heading out to scuba dive near the port of Segur de Calafell, according to the Catalan Government’s Civil Protection Service. Sadly, two victims were claimed by the sea.

The first victim, a 50-year-old Spanish National was discovered unconscious by the divers and emergency services were quickly alerted. Despite attempts perform resuscitation manoeuvres the man tragically died.

According reports the group then noticed that another diver was missing. The search operation began and the Mossos d’Esquadra maritime police swung into action. The officers found a 56-year-old man, also of Spanish nationality. He was discovered unconscious and despite attempts to revive him it was impossible to save his life.

As reported El Confidential “In addition to the Mossos d’Esquadra, the accident mobilised members of the Calafell Local Police and the Guardia Civil, the body that has taken over the investigation to find out the causes of death of the divers.”

An underwater search was carried out by teams from the Guardia Civil’s Special Underwater Activities Group (GEAS) in the hope of recovering any items that could help the investigation. Four underwater teams from the Generalitat de Catalunya’s fire brigade were also activated, but in the end their help was not required.

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