Philippines shark attack leaves 2 tourists dead at dive site

Two tourists tragically lost their lives in the Philippines after a terrifying shark attack at a popular diving spot. Ilia Peregudin, 29, and Maksim Melekhov, 39, both from Russia, were swept away by a strong undercurrent while diving off Verde Island, a renowned location for its vibrant marine life and coral reefs. The incident occurred on Thursday when the divers were carried towards a group of hungry sharks that were resurfacing in the area.

According to reports from Viral Press, the group of divers got separated due to the strong current, with two managing to return to their boat safely. However, Peregudin and Melekhov were unable to resurface. Philippine Coast Guard Captain Airland Lapitan described the difficulty in recovering one of the divers due to the presence of sharks circling around the body. Tragically, it was discovered that the individual had been attacked by the sharks, as their right hand was missing.

Footage captured from the dive showed schools of fish in the area just moments before the attack took place. Peregudin was found unconscious at sea and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a hospital in Batangas.

Local resident Diego Reyes, who had been diving with the Russian tourists, shared his harrowing experience of the strong currents and waves in the area. He expressed his hope that authorities would be able to determine what led to the tragic incident. Reyes extended his condolences to the families of the deceased divers, acknowledging the challenging conditions they faced during the dive.

An investigation into the shark attack is currently underway to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The loss of Peregudin and Melekhov serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can be present in the ocean, even in popular diving locations.

As the diving community mourns the loss of these two individuals, it is essential to prioritize safety measures and awareness when exploring the underwater world. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of Ilia Peregudin and Maksim Melekhov during this difficult time.

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