Diver 'attempts to pull scuba gear off instructor' 50ft underwater in insane footage

Normally when people are scuba diving it’s to get a good look at the sea floor, to swim amongst the fish, to watch the wildlife do their thing – not to see humans brawling.

But an investigation has been called for after a scuba diving instructor claimed another diver tried to ‘kill him’ in the Maldives.

Wild footage that’s since gone viral on social media shows a man seeming to attempt to pull off the instructor’s gear in the dive site.

Xiao Du was off-duty, exploring the Kuda Rah Thila dive site last week with a friend as guests on a liveaboard from the Maldives Legend fleet when he claims he became involved in this altercation.

He alleges he was approached by three divers at depths of roughly 15 metres, with the dive site ‘a little crowded’.

Du claimed to the Yangste Evening News that a man suddenly approached from below and pushed him while making hand gestures. Then, when this diver turned to swim away, his fins struck the off-duty instructor and he pushed them aside.

He then claims a second man (described to be a dive guide) grabbed his arm, so he tried to kick his fins at them.

During this, the other diver then allegedly reached at his face and tried to take off his mask and regulator, with a third diver apparently joining the so-called brawl.

Du said: “They were all around me.I could only exercise restraint.”

He says he was able to escape the situation due to his experience as an instructor, and went on to challenge the three men with his friend after surfacing.

“That will kill me underwater, three of you! Three people against myself – that’s very rude!” they are heard shouting in the video.

The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) has called for a ‘thorough, impartial and transparent investigation’.

In a statement, it said it ‘expresses its serious concern regarding the recent incident involving members of the diving teams associated with Maldives Legend Liveaboard and Infinity X, footage of which has circulated widely across social media and international platforms’.

“NBAM considers the incident a serious matter that requires an impartial and thorough investigation. Any wrongdoing, misconduct or negligence by any party must be properly established and addressed in accordance with the laws of the Maldives,” it continued.

“NBAM wishes to emphasise that the actions of individuals involved in an incident must not be used to discredit the entire Maldivian boating and diving industry or portray the Maldives as an unsafe diving destination,’ the statement reads.

“The Association reiterates that accountability must be upheld, legitimate Maldivian businesses must be protected, applicable regulations must be enforced consistently and fairly, and the reputation and integrity of the Maldivian boating and tourism industry must be safeguarded.”

The Maldives Legend fleet owners also said it was aware of the video, believing the incident took place on 28 October between divers from one of its liveaboards and a guide from another liveaboard named Infinity X.

“We take this incident very seriously. Diving safety has always been our foremost priority, and we will continue to take every measure to ensure a safe and respectful diving environment at every dive site,” it said, per DIVE Magazine.

“We have listened to our guests’ accounts of the incident and submitted the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation. As the matter is now being handled by the relevant authorities, we will not comment further on specific details.”