A Japanese tourist vacationing in Palau is presumed dead after vanishing during a dive at the German Channel on Monday, January 22nd. The 49-year-old man, part of a group of 8 divers with 2 guides, went missing during his second dive that day.
The group surfaced at 12:35 PM, only to discover their fellow diver’s absence. Koror State Rangers immediately alerted the Maritime Security office at 1 pm, triggering a swift search operation.
Despite the weather cooperating with a white flag notice (an improvement from the previous red flag warning), hope faded with each passing day. By Wednesday, after three days lost at sea, Bureau of Public Safety Director Cary Levitre declared the diver’s presumed death, though search efforts continued as protocol requires a five-day search for missing persons. Today marks the final day of the official search.
Local tour companies, along with government and state law enforcement agencies, have rallied together in the search, aided by aerial support from Palau Mission Aviation. Their tireless efforts and shared prayers reach out for a miracle on this fifth day of the operation.
The missing diver’s name is withheld pending notification of his family.