A 54-year-old man from Osaka Prefecture died after getting into difficulty while diving off the coast of Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture on Saturday. A diving instructor called emergency services around 10:25 a.m. after the man became unconscious. He was taken to a hospital but confirmed dead on arrival.
On Saturday, Kyoji Sumita, a 54-year-old resident of Kishiwada City in Osaka Prefecture, was participating in a diving tour off the coast of Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture. At a depth of about 30 meters, an accompanying instructor noticed Sumita appeared to be in distress, and they surfaced together. When pulled aboard the boat, Sumita lost consciousness.
According to police, a diving instructor at the scene called 119 around 10:25 a.m. and reported an accident during a group dive, as covered by Sankei Shimbun. The caller stated that the diver was unconscious and not breathing.
Sumita was transported to a hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival. The incident occurred during a group diving activity, and the exact cause remains under investigation. The Wakayama coast is a popular diving area, highlighting the risks involved in such activities.