Tragedy in the Philippines: two Russians died while diving

Death of Russians in the Philippines: what happened

Two tourists from Russia died on Thursday, February 27, at about 13:30 (08:30 Moscow time) in the Philippines near the island of Verde. They were citizen Ilya Peregudin, 29, and 39-year-old Maxim Melekhov.

The tragedy occurred during the dive. The group, consisting of four Russians and a local instructor from De Luna, was diving. They sailed by boat from the city of Puerto Galera and got into a strong undercurrent during the dive. Three of the group were able to get out of the current, while Peregudin and Melekhov were missing.

According to foreign media, members of the group and coast guard officers immediately began searching. Melekhov was found unconscious on the shore about an hour later, and the hospital only pronounced him dead. Peregudin became a victim of sharks, his body was found a few hours after the incident surrounded by these predatory fish, his right arm was torn off. Rescuers managed to pull the body ashore.

The Russian Embassy in the Philippines confirmed the deaths of the Russians and reported that Melekhov's body had been taken to St. Peter's Hospital. Patrick of Batangas, and Peregudin — to the hospital of Puerto Galera (province of Oriental Mindoro). A search is underway for their relatives. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia is also investigating whether the two victims were clients of tour operators.

The local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. It is known that they plan to discuss the introduction of additional measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The issue of returning the bodies of the dead to their homeland is also being resolved.

What attracts tourists to the island of Verde

Verde Island is located in the strait between the islands of Luzon and Mindoro south of Batangas City. You can get to it by boat or ferry. According to the De Luna website, due to the fact that the water temperature near the island is about two degrees warmer than on other beaches in the country, a unique ecological macro-system has formed there, which attracts divers so much. The water is very clear, with excellent visibility. In addition, fragments of ancient porcelain dishes from Spanish galleons can be found there. All this makes the island of Verde a place of attraction for divers and one of the most interesting diving spots in the world.

Despite the many advantages of diving on the island of Verde, there is also a disadvantage — strong currents. The De Luna website warns that due to the nature of the streams, water can carry a person into one canyon one second and into another the next. Because of this, only experienced divers can dive there.

Other deaths of Russian tourists abroad

Sharks have attacked Russian tourists abroad before. For example, in June 2023, a 23-year-old vacationer from the Arkhangelsk region died off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt, after which the beaches in the area were closed. Rescuers did not have time to help him — the shark pulled the man into the depths. In the Red Sea, attacks by large fish have become a frequent occurrence: in recent years, tourists from the Czech Republic, Austria and other countries have died from them.