Tourist vanishes after diving ‘too deep’ while exploring underwater caves
A woman has vanished in underwater caves in Egypt after diving ‘too deep’ to 400ft with her husband.
Kristina and Yuri Osipovi, from St Petersburg, Russia, were on a 10-day cruise in the Red Sea when the incident happened.
The couple – believed to be experienced divers – were part of a group exploring Giftun Island, south of resort Hurghada.
It is understood they were already at the permitted 120ft when they decided to go deeper ‘without any special equipment’.
Yuri, 41, aborted his dive after beginning to lose consciousness, and managed to swim to the surface. But there was no sign of his wife.
A search is underway for the mum-of-four, but rescuers are starting to lose hope they may ever find her alive.
Russian Consulate General Alexei Zhilyaev said: ‘After the husband’s ascent, the computer showed a maximum depth of 400ft, that is, this is the depth at which they were and both lost consciousness.
‘But when her husband surfaced and regained consciousness, his wife was not around.’
The search area has been expanded, but there are fears the body of the 44-year-old could have been carried away by a strong undercurrent.
Rescue ship commander Mustafa Nabil told REN TV: ‘Her husband said he began to lose consciousness, what we call nitrogen narcosis.
‘It makes divers feel intoxicated while diving.’
Some four boats are involved in the search for Kristina. A record-breaking diver also went down to the depth she and Yuri had been but saw no sign of her.
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