Overview:
Eight days after two experienced tourist divers disappeared at Palau’s Peleliu Wall, the official search has ended without recovery. Questions remain about why the divers descended again after beginning their ascent and what happened during the final moments of the dive.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (Sept. 14, 2026) — Eight days after two tourist divers disappeared during a dive at Peleliu Wall, the chances of survival have significantly diminished, while questions remain about what caused the experienced divers to descend after beginning their ascent.
The two divers, identified as 62-year-old Tan Soon Liang, also known as Robert, of Singapore, and 43-year-old Xiaoxi Wu, also known as Helen, of the People’s Republic of China, have not been recovered.
An intensive five-day search involving national marine law enforcement search-and-rescue personnel, Peleliu State rangers, the U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center in Guam and private boat operators ended Friday, Sept. 11, without a successful recovery.
Tan and Wu were among a group of divers aboard the MY Black Pearl liveaboard that began a dive at Peleliu Wall at about 7:45 a.m. Sept. 7.
Authorities and the vessel reported that both divers were experienced. Tan was described as a highly experienced diver, holding an SSI Instructor Certifier qualification and having logged more than 5,100 dives. Wu was a certified Advanced Open Water Diver with 243 logged dives.
According to reports, Tan used his own diving equipment, while both divers chose to use personal GPS devices rather than equipment provided by the vessel.
About 40 minutes into the dive, the dive director signaled the group to release their hooks and begin ascending. The director noticed that Tan and Wu were still hooked and that Tan’s marker buoy had become tangled.
The dive director descended and helped untangle Tan. Afterward, both divers gave an “OK” signal, indicating they were all right.
Shortly afterward, the dive director observed other members of the group making safety stops as they ascended. He also saw Tan and Wu stop their ascent and begin descending again.
The director said he attempted to follow them but had already exceeded his maximum depth, became dizzy and was unable to continue. He then surfaced alone.
At about 8:45 a.m., Public Safety received a report that the two divers were missing.
Other members of the dive group included divers from Australia, Germany and Japan. No statements had been collected from those other parties as of the publication of the original report, leaving unanswered questions about what happened during the final moments of the dive and why Tan and Wu reversed course and descended.
Peleliu Wall is regarded as one of Palau’s most spectacular dive sites, but it is also considered an advanced, difficult and unpredictable site because of its currents.
Divers are advised to closely monitor their depth and changing currents, remain with their group and stay close to their dive guide.
With the official search ended and the eighth day since the disappearance reached, attention is now turning to understanding what happened and whether lessons can be learned to prevent similar incidents.
“The investigation must be thorough and questions must be answered as this news could affect all of us,” said one local dive operator.