A scuba diving trip off Verde Island turned tragic on Thursday when two Russian tourists died after being swept away by strong undercurrents, with one of them suspected to have been attacked by sharks, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed on Friday.
The victims, identified as Ilia Peregudin, 29, and Maksim Melekhov, 39, were among four Russian divers exploring the waters of Pulong Bato with a Filipino dive instructor. The group had arrived at the island around 1 PM after traveling by boat from Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
According to PCG Batangas commander Captain Airland Lapitan, a sudden strong current pulled the divers away from their planned course, separating them in the process. The instructor and two of the Russian divers, Eduard Peregudin, 57, and Timofei Peregudin, 18, managed to swim back to their boat, but Ilia Peregudin and Maksim Melekhov went missing.
Rescue operations were launched immediately. Around 3 to 4 PM, search teams located Melekhov floating unconscious in the water. He was quickly transported to St. Patrick’s Hospital Medical Center in Batangas City, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Efforts to locate Peregudin continued. At approximately 5:50 PM, his lifeless body was found, but rescuers made a disturbing discovery—he had lost both arms. Lapitan confirmed that initial observations pointed to a possible shark attack.
“The other Russian diver was found while being attacked by sharks,” he said. “His right arm, unfortunately, had been severed, and sharks were still moving around him. They somehow managed to pull him away.”
By 9:10 PM, the remains were brought to Puerto Galera, where they were turned over to grieving family members. Later that night, an ambulance transported the cadaver to a funeral parlor for proper disposition.
Authorities are investigating the incident, particularly the presence of strong currents and potential shark activity in the area. The Coast Guard Substation Isla Verde reported that sharks are known to inhabit the waters near Verde Island.
“We are assessing whether additional safety measures are needed for diving activities in Verde Island,” Lapitan said. “This incident highlights the risks associated with diving in areas known for strong currents and marine predators.”
Verde Island is a popular diving destination due to its rich marine biodiversity, but its unpredictable currents pose dangers, especially for divers unfamiliar with its waters.
The Russian Embassy in Manila has been notified and is coordinating with Philippine authorities to assist the families of the victims.
